Fox Covert

Ancient woodland stretches across this corner of Nottinghamshire, offering proper countryside rambling just outside Newark. Fox Covert is the sort of forest that feels genuinely wild - no manicured paths or visitor centre nonsense, just trees doing their own thing for centuries.

Dog walkers absolutely love this place. The tracks wind through mixed woodland where foxes genuinely do live up to the name, though you're more likely to spot squirrels and the odd deer if you're quiet enough. Families with older kids who can handle uneven ground will find plenty to explore, but it's not buggy-friendly territory.

Expect to spend a good hour or two if you're doing it properly. The lack of formal facilities means you'll need to come prepared - decent boots are essential after rain, and there's nowhere to grab a coffee afterwards. It's free to wander, naturally, being proper countryside rather than a tourist attraction.

From nearby holiday parks like Misterton Holiday Park or Gunthorpe Camping, it makes a lovely morning out before the afternoon gets too warm. The proximity to Newark means you can easily combine forest walks with a proper lunch in town. Just don't expect anything fancy - this is woodland as it should be, rough around the edges and all the better for it.