Ilex Wood

Walk into Ilex Wood and you're immediately under a thick canopy of holly and oak. It's proper woodland - the kind where the light filters green through the leaves and you can actually hear yourself think. Located just east of Hunstanton, this small Norfolk forest is exactly what you need if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks and fancy an escape from the caravan site atmosphere.

The wood itself isn't vast, so don't expect a full day's hiking. An hour or so is realistic for a decent wander, longer if you're the type to sit on a log and do some birdwatching. Families with younger kids find it manageable - there's enough to explore without anyone getting completely knackered, though pushchairs will struggle on rougher paths. The woodland floor can be muddy, especially after rain, so wellies are sensible.

What makes it worthwhile is the sheer quiet. Norfolk's coast gets rammed in summer, but slip into Ilex Wood and you'll barely see another soul. It's the kind of place where you notice things - lichen on the trees, the way the moss grows thicker on the north side of oak trunks, actual birdsong rather than the sound of slot machines.

If you're based at Wild Luxury, Manor Park, or Searles just down the road, this is a cracking spot for a morning before the beach. Admission appears to be free, which frankly feels like you're getting away with something. Bring waterproofs and don't expect signage.