Gilbert's Wood

A proper woodland walk without the crowds you'd find at the big nature reserves. Gilbert's Wood is a quiet pocket of ancient forest near Newark where you can actually hear yourself think, which is rarer than you'd expect in the Midlands. The trees are dense enough to feel like you've stepped into something genuinely wild, and the paths are well-trodden but never rammed.

It's the sort of place that appeals to walkers wanting a break from flat fenland tramping, and families won't find it tedious - there's enough space to let kids run off steam without losing sight of them entirely. The woodland floor changes through the seasons too, which matters if you've got a naturalist in the group. Spring brings bluebells; autumn is all russet leaves and fallen wood. Photography types gravitate here for the light filtering through the canopy.

You're looking at a solid hour to ninety minutes depending on your pace and whether you actually stop to look at anything. No facilities that I'm aware of, so bring water. Free to access, which is always welcome.

If you're staying at Lincolnshire Glamping at Spire View Meadow or Four Seasons Country Park - both handily within five miles - this makes an easy morning outing before heading back for lunch. It's not a destination in itself, but it slots nicely into a park-based break when you need to get out of the caravan or lodge without driving far.