Chensil Grove

A thick strip of woodland that sits just east of Bury Saint Edmunds, Chensil Grove offers proper walking country without the faffing about. You're looking at mixed broadleaf forest - the kind where the canopy actually blocks out the sky and the ground cover stays damp even after decent weather. The main appeal is straightforward: decent footpaths that wind through oak and beech, clearing your head for a couple of hours.

It's not a destination that'll hold your attention for an entire day. Walkers will appreciate the quietness and the absence of crowds you'd get at bigger Suffolk nature reserves. Families with young kids might find it a bit one-note - no playgrounds, no visitor centre, just trees and paths. That said, if you're staying at Apple Mount Retreat nearby, it's worth the short drive for a morning woodland walk without driving to Norfolk or deeper into Suffolk.

The forest works best between spring and autumn. Muddy as hell in winter, and summer midges can be murder if you're not careful. Allow an hour to ninety minutes depending on how many loops you fancy. There's no real infrastructure to speak of - no cafe, no toilets that we could find - so come prepared.

As a bolt-on to a quiet Suffolk retreat, it does the job. Don't expect revelation, just solid greenery and birdsong.