Coldfitz Wood

Coldfitz Wood is a proper forest walk just outside Cockermouth, the sort of place where you can actually lose the sound of traffic within five minutes. The woodland here is dense enough to feel like actual forest - dark conifers mixed with deciduous trees, with paths that wind through enough variety to keep you interested without requiring OS map skills.

It's ideal for families who want something less demanding than the fells, or walkers looking to add a woodland section to a longer day out in the Derwent Valley. Dog owners will appreciate the trails too. The forest floor is soft underfoot after rain, and there are enough clearings to prevent that claustrophobic feeling some commercial woodlands have. Realistically, you're looking at an hour to ninety minutes for a decent circuit, depending on which paths you take.

Bring waterproofs. Cumbrian woods stay damp long after rain stops elsewhere, and low-hanging branches will soak you if you're not careful. Autumn is cracking here - the light filters through in that golden way that makes everything look better than it is.

If you're based at Greysouthen Caravan Site just down the road, Coldfitz makes an easy morning out before heading to Cockermouth for lunch. It's not the sort of place that'll blow your mind, but it's genuinely useful for breaking up a park holiday when the weather's decent and you need a walk that doesn't require proper hiking boots.