Lilly Wood

The woodland around Holmrook pulls you in quietly. Lilly Wood doesn't announce itself with fanfare or visitor centres, but walk through and you understand why locals bother with it. It's proper forest - the kind where you're genuinely surrounded by trees rather than wandering through managed parkland. Paths wind through and you get a real sense of being away from things, which matters when you're camped nearby at Fisherground Campsite.

Don't expect manicured trails or interpretive boards. This is a place for a proper walk, somewhere to burn off energy if you're with kids, or to clear your head if you're not. The woodland has character - dense enough to feel like a proper escape but accessible enough that you won't spend hours looking for the way out. Spring brings bluebells if you time it right. Summer's fine too if you don't mind the usual forest dampness underfoot.

If you're staying around Holmrook for a few days - and there's enough about to make it worth considering - Lilly Wood fills a morning nicely without eating your whole day. It's the sort of place that works best if you're not expecting something extraordinary. Come for a walk, breathe some fresh air, appreciate that you're in proper countryside without needing to trek hours from camp. In the wet season, bring decent boots. Most times of year it's worth the detour.