Hayes Belt

Walking into Hayes Belt feels like stepping into someone's back garden - if that garden happened to be 200 acres of proper woodland. Just outside Northampton, this is the sort of place locals know about and visitors somehow miss, which is a shame because it's a cracking spot for an afternoon ramble.

The wood itself is mixed woodland, nothing fancy - oak, ash, hazel - but it's well-maintained and the paths are clear enough that you won't spend half an hour wondering if you've taken a wrong turn. There's a real sense of being properly away from it all despite being mere miles from town. The light filters through the canopy in that particular way that makes photographers stop every five minutes, and honestly, it's worth doing exactly that.

Walkers will get the most from Hayes Belt. It's ideal for a two to three hour loop with minimal climbing. Families with younger kids might find it a touch dull after an hour - there's no playground or visitor centre, just woodland and footpaths. History enthusiasts will appreciate the medieval field patterns visible in places, though you'll need a decent eye to spot them.

It's completely free to access, open access land, so turn up whenever suits you. Best visited autumn through spring when the paths aren't a muddy mess. Pair it with a stay at Moon Valley Glamping Retreat nearby and you've got a genuinely peaceful woodland break without having to drive to the Cotswolds or pretend the Peak District is accessible from Northampton.