Coach Wood

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination in itself, Coach Wood sits just outside Cockermouth and delivers exactly what you'd hope for - dense forest, decent paths, and enough quiet to actually hear birdsong. The canopy's thick enough that it stays dry even after heavy rain, which counts for something in Cumbria.

You're not looking at a massive affair here. An hour's walk takes you through most of it, though you can easily stretch it to ninety minutes if you poke about. The paths are well-trodden and manageable for families with older kids, though younger ones might find the lack of obvious "attractions" - no waterfall, no viewpoint, just trees - a bit dull. Walkers will appreciate it more, especially those using it as a warm-up leg before tackling the Cockermouth area's bigger walks.

It works brilliantly if you're based at Harbour Side Caravan Park just down the road. Rather than driving somewhere for a forest walk, you've got one on the doorstep. Pop in for an hour before breakfast or after lunch - no need to make a day of it. Free to access, no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, which keeps it refreshingly simple.

Worth a detour if you're in Cockermouth? Only if you've got time and fancy stretching your legs. As a bonus walk alongside a park stay, it's spot on. Don't expect drama, though. It's just a nice bit of woodland doing its job.