Grizedale

Walk into Grizedale and you're entering one of the Lake District's most underrated forests. This vast woodland sprawls across 2,400 acres of mixed terrain between Hawkshead Hill and Windermere, criss-crossed by trails that range from gentle riverside strolls to proper leg-burners through steep fell country.

The main draw here is the network of sculpture trail walks. Local and international artists have installed permanent pieces throughout the forest - some carved into trees, others emerging from clearings - which makes a standard woodland walk feel genuinely fresh. You're never quite sure what you'll stumble upon around the next bend. The trails vary wildly in difficulty and length, so whether you've got restless toddlers or you're training for a fell race, there's something that'll work.

It's free to wander about, though parking at the visitor centre costs a few quid. Most people spend two to three hours here, though you could easily double that if you're in no rush. Go early on weekends - by mid-morning the car parks fill up with families from the surrounding holiday parks like Hill of Oaks and Park Cliffe, both under five miles away.

The forest gets muddy after rain, so good boots are essential. Summer's lovely, but autumn's genuinely magical when the light filters through changing leaves. History enthusiasts should know this place has been logged and managed for centuries - there's real working forestry happening alongside the walking trails.

Grizedale works brilliantly as part of a wider Lake District park holiday. Couple it with Windermere's shore walks or the quieter routes around Tarn Hows, and you've got variety sorted.