Foxburrow Wood

A proper walk through ancient woodland just outside Lowestoft, Foxburrow Wood offers something you don't see often in Suffolk - actual trees with some real height to them. The forest floor is thick with leaf litter and moss, paths wind between oak and beech, and on a quiet morning you'll hear nothing but birdsong and the occasional crack of a branch underfoot.

It's the kind of place that rewards a slow pace. There's no cafe, no visitor centre, no facilities really - just woodland doing what woodland does. Kids will either love it or get bored within twenty minutes, depending on whether they're the type to hunt for insects and build camps. Dog walkers absolutely love it here. For serious hikers it's modest - an hour or so will cover the main routes - but it's worth combining with a longer trail that takes in the wider area.

The nearest proper base is Lowestoft itself, though honestly the holiday parks at Pakefield and The Hollies are better bets if you want to stay close by. Pakefield's only 3.5 miles away and rated decently. From either, you could easily slip over here for a morning ramble before heading to the coast.

Free to access and always open - no barriers, no gates. Go when it's damp rather than dusty, and avoid the school holidays if you want solitude. This isn't a destination in itself, but as part of a wider Suffolk outing it's well worth the detour.