Ekens' Copse

A proper woodland walk this one, just a few miles out from Peterborough. Ekens' Copse is the sort of place you'd stumble upon by accident if you weren't paying attention - easy to drive past, harder to resist once you know it's there.

The copse itself is small but densely wooded, the kind of spot where the canopy gets thick enough that you forget it's midday. Paths wind through, mostly well-trodden, and there's enough shade and shelter to make it decent even when the Northamptonshire sun's doing its best. You'll see standard woodland birds and the occasional rabbit if you're quiet about it. The real draw? It's manageable. No steep climbs, no scrambles over rocks - just a gentle meander through actual mature woodland rather than the scrubby bits you often get near town edges.

Families with younger kids get a decent hour here without anyone whinging about tired legs. Walkers doing a longer loop through the area might use it as a halfway pause. It's less showy than some nature reserves, but that's partly the appeal - you're not jostling for space or waiting for Instagram moments.

If you're staying at Brightside Caravan Park nearby, Ekens' Copse makes an easy morning venture. Bring decent shoes - it can be muddy - and don't expect dramatic vistas or facilities. It's just honest woodland. Worth the detour if you're in the area.