Little Billing Arbour

The woodland around Little Billing is proper quiet - the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think. It's not a formal attraction with gates and a visitor centre; rather, it's a genuine patch of forest where locals come to walk off their Sunday roasts. The paths wind through decent-sized trees, and in spring the bluebells are genuinely worth the trip from Northampton.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's straightforward enough for families with older kids, though there's nothing flashy like playgrounds or cafes to keep younger ones entertained for long. A decent circuit takes about an hour, depending on how often you stop to photograph things or just stand about enjoying the quiet. Go midweek if you can - weekends bring the whole of Northampton out here.

It's free, obviously. No admission charge, no car park fees that I could find. The paths are reasonably maintained, though after heavy rain they can get boggy - proper walking boots matter.

Fit it in with a stay at Grendon Lakes or Moon Valley Glamping Retreat - both are close by, and this gives you a morning's activity without needing to drive far. It's not going to blow your mind, but as a break from the caravan or glamping pod, it does the job. Real woodland, no theatrics.