Jacobs Moss Plantation

You won't find crowds at Jacobs Moss Plantation near Penrith - this is proper forest walking territory, the kind of place where you're more likely to spot a red squirrel than another visitor. The plantation sprawls across moorland, a mix of conifers and open fell that feels wild in the way the Lake District often does when you venture slightly off the main paths.

It's suited to walkers who actually enjoy walking, not just the Instagram-spot-collecting brigade. The trails wind through dense forestry and emerge onto open moorland - the contrast alone makes it worth the trip. You can lose an hour here easily, or push on for two or three depending on fitness and how much you fancy rambling. The views back towards Penrith and the surrounding Fells are solid without being spectacular; it's the walking itself that's the appeal, not any single viewpoint.

With caravan parks dotted nearby - Carrock Glamping Pods is closest at under three miles - this works well as a morning walk before heading to bigger attractions in the National Park. Free access and no opening hours to worry about means you can slip in at dawn or dusk. Not worth planning a whole trip around, but if you're based at one of the local parks for a few days, absolutely worth the detour. The forest can be muddy and the weather changes fast up here, so proper boots and a waterproof are essential rather than optional.