Holloway Spinney

A proper woodland walk rather than a formal attraction, Holloway Spinney sits just outside Buckingham and gives you the kind of green space that locals actually use instead of tourists queueing at the entrance. It's a mixed woodland - oak, beech, the usual suspects - with decent paths that don't demand hiking boots but won't bore you either. The spinney itself isn't vast, so you're looking at a genuine 45 minutes to an hour if you dawdle and actually look at things, maybe 30 if you're just after a quick leg-stretch.

Walkers will find it worthwhile, particularly families wanting something less formal than a stately home tour. Children old enough to manage uneven ground will enjoy spotting birds and the occasional surprise of a proper forest path rather than a manicured trail. It's the sort of place you'd bring the dog without worrying about keeping them on lead the entire time, though do check current access rules.

If you're staying at Barton Hill Farm or Embers Camping in Claydon - both solid spots for a Buckinghamshire base - Holloway Spinney makes a decent hour-long diversion rather than a destination in itself. The terrain is gentle enough that it won't leave you knackered before exploring Buckingham's market square or heading to other attractions in the area. Free access, no official opening hours as far as anyone can tell, though like any woodland you're best off going when light allows. Spring's cracking for bluebells if you time it right.