Lee Plantation

The woodland at Lee Plantation spreads across decent acreage just outside Morpeth, offering proper walking territory if you're after something beyond the usual Northumberland attractions. It's a working forest rather than some manicured tourist spot, which means the paths are straightforward and the trees do most of the talking for you.

This is solid rambling country. You get mixed woodland - decent mix of conifers and broadleaf - and it's the kind of place where an afternoon walk doesn't feel rushed. The forest floor is soft underfoot, paths are generally well-maintained, and there's enough space that you won't feel hemmed in even when the weather's brought others out. Worth allowing two to three hours if you want to properly explore without dawdling.

Families with older kids will get more from it than those with pushchairs - the terrain's uneven in places. It's genuinely good for walkers who want to escape the noise without needing to drive miles from Morpeth. The forest doesn't have the dramatic landscape credentials of somewhere like Kielder, but it's accessible and honest.

Stay at Bockenfield Country Holiday Park or Felmoor Country Park - both within easy striking distance - and you've got a proper base for exploring the wider area. Lee Plantation works well as part of a longer day out rather than a destination in itself. Bring decent boots, especially after rain.