Corton Woods

Walking into Corton Woods feels like stepping properly away from Lowestoft's seafront bustle, even though you're just minutes from town. It's a decent slice of Norfolk woodland - tall pines mixed with broadleaf trees, the kind of place where the light filters through in that particular way that makes you want to stay longer than you planned.

The woods themselves are straightforward: well-trodden paths wind through, nothing technical, nothing that demands hiking boots. You'll spot the usual Norfolk woodland mix - plenty of conifers, brambles getting ambitious in summer, and if you time it right, bluebells doing their thing in spring. It's the sort of walk that works for families with younger kids who can manage a couple of miles without complaining, and for anyone after some quiet time away from the caravan or holiday lodge.

Allow a solid hour for a proper wander, maybe ninety minutes if you're the type who stops to photograph fungi or listen for woodpeckers. There's no charge to get in - it's the kind of accessible woodland you just turn up to. No facilities to speak of, so bring what you need.

If you're staying at Azure Seas or Broadland Sands, it's basically on your doorstep. Even from Haven Hopton down the coast, it's worth the short drive on an afternoon when beach weather turns dodgy. Fair warning though: it's pleasant rather than spectacular. Don't expect dramatic vistas or wild coastal views. What you get is exactly what it says - a wood near Lowestoft, worth visiting, but not worth rearranging your entire week around.