Greenwood Park

The paths through Greenwood Park wind through proper woodland, the sort where you can actually lose track of time. It's a nature reserve just outside St Albans, and what strikes you first is how quiet it gets once you're ten minutes in - traffic noise from the surrounding area just falls away.

You're looking at mixed woodland with the usual suspects: oak, ash, beech. The undergrowth changes with the seasons, which means repeat visits make sense if you're into that sort of thing. Spring brings bluebells; autumn turns the whole place copper and gold. It's the kind of spot where birdwatchers actually see birds, not just hope they might. Squirrels are thick on the ground too, if kids are with you.

The main appeal here is straightforward - walking trails that don't demand fitness levels you don't have, and enough space that you won't feel hemmed in by other visitors. There's no visitor centre or cafe, so come prepared with water and snacks if you're planning to spend more than an hour. It works brilliantly as a half-day outing alongside the nearby parks - Aldenham Country Park is only five miles away and offers something different if you want to combine visits.

If you're staying at Frogmore Park Homes or any of the caravan parks clustered around St Albans, this is worth fitting in. It's free, it's accessible, and it does exactly what a local nature reserve should do: give you space to breathe and watch life happen. Don't expect drama or facilities - expect trees, paths, and genuine quiet.