Howell's Wood

Walk into Howell's Wood east of Stevenage and you're immediately swallowed by something proper quiet. It's not vast - more of a tucked-away woodland than a destination forest - but that's partly why it works. The trees are dense enough to muffle road noise, and if you time it right on a weekday morning, you might have the place entirely to yourself.

The woodland floor is soft underfoot, with paths that wind through without demanding much navigation. It's the sort of place walkers use to clear their heads rather than tick off a route. You won't find dramatic viewpoints or dramatic drops, just the simple satisfaction of being under a proper canopy. Kids do okay here - not so demanding that it becomes a chore, and small enough that they won't wander for hours. An hour or so is the right amount of time; much longer and you've exhausted what's on offer.

If you're based at Baldock Park Homes or Radwell Lake campsite for a park holiday, Howell's Wood makes a solid morning outing before heading elsewhere. It's free and unrestricted, though facilities are minimal - no car park amenities, no café. Go in decent shoes and go when it's dry. The real value here is that it requires no planning and delivers exactly what it promises: quiet woodland within striking distance of Stevenage.