Kirton Wood

The woodland around Kirton, just outside Newark, offers proper walking country without the crowds you'd find at more famous forest spots. It's the sort of place where you can actually hear the birds - mature broadleaf trees, decent paths, and enough acreage to get genuinely lost in if you're not paying attention.

Walkers will get the most from Kirton Wood. The terrain is manageable enough for families with older kids, though younger ones might find a solid hour quite enough before boredom sets in. There's nothing dramatic here - no viewpoints, no visitor centre, no cafe - just woodland as it should be. That's either refreshing or underwhelming depending on what you're after.

You can explore freely, and it's free to access, which is why it works well as a mid-break wander if you're staying at Eastfield Glamping or Greenacres Caravan Park nearby. The paths are mostly clear, though winter mudiness is real. Allow two to three hours for a decent loop walk, or pop in for a quick 45-minute stretch if you're breaking up a longer journey through Nottinghamshire.

Best visited autumn through spring when the woodland floor is interesting and the undergrowth doesn't block the paths. Summer's fine if you don't mind the heat trapped under the canopy. It's not a destination in itself, but it slots nicely alongside exploring Newark town centre or using it as a quieter base for exploring the wider area.