Copy Wood

You'll find yourself among proper old woodland just outside Clitheroe - the sort of place where the canopy gets thick enough that you forget what the weather's doing. Copy Wood is a straightforward forest walk, nothing fancy, but genuinely pleasant if you're after an hour in the trees without having to drive an hour to get there.

The woodland floor is soft underfoot and there's a decent network of paths threading through. It's the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think - no gift shops, no crowds, just trees. Families with younger kids will manage the walks fine, though it's not dramatic enough to hold restless teenagers for very long. If you're into woodland wildflowers or spotting birds, spring and early summer are worth timing your visit for.

Walkers heading through the Ribble Valley will find this a solid half-morning option rather than a destination in itself. It slots in nicely alongside a park stay at the Clitheroe Camping and Caravanning Club Site if you want a break from pitch activities. The walk takes whatever time you decide - you're not herding round a set route - so you can make it twenty minutes or two hours depending on mood.

Bring decent boots if there's been rain. The woodland holds water and paths get boggy in patches. It's free to access and genuinely worth knowing about if you're in the area, though I wouldn't say it justifies a special trip from Manchester.