Clarkes Wood

The woodland around Clarkes Wood offers proper walking territory if you're based near Northampton and fancy stretching your legs without driving miles. It's a genuine patch of forest rather than a manicured country park - mature trees, decent paths, and the kind of place where you'll actually spot wildlife if you're quiet about it.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not a destination in itself, more a solid half-day addition to a Northamptonshire itinerary. You can lose an hour or two here easily enough, picking your route through the trees and following whatever paths appeal. Families with young kids might find it a bit limited - there's no visitor centre or play equipment, just woodland. But if your children are into exploring and spotting birds, it's worth a go.

The real strength is proximity. If you're staying at Moon Valley Glamping Retreat just 2.5 miles away, this becomes an obvious morning walk before heading elsewhere. It's free to access and there's no formal visiting hours to worry about, so you can turn up whenever suits. Best in spring or autumn when the woodland is actually interesting - summer can feel a bit dense and green, winter gives you better sightlines through the bare branches.

Not earth-shattering, but a proper bit of Northamptonshire forest that locals clearly use. Sometimes that's exactly what you need when you're on a park holiday and want to get outdoors without faffing about.