Old Dalby Wood

The woodland around Old Dalby, just outside Melton Mowbray, is proper walking country. You're in mixed forest here - the kind with proper depth to it, not a thin strip of trees. Paths wind through and there's enough variety to keep you occupied for a good couple of hours, longer if you're the type who stops to examine moss.

This is walkers' territory first and foremost. Families with young kids might find it a bit samey after the first mile, but if your lot are keen on spotting birds or climbing over fallen logs, they'll get on fine. The terrain's generally manageable - no serious climbs - though it can get muddy in winter.

There's no visitor centre or facilities that I'm aware of, so come prepared. It's free to wander, which is the main appeal. Quiet too. You won't battle crowds here like you would at some of the more promoted spots in the county.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Frisby Lakes or The Grange are both under four miles away - this makes a solid morning or afternoon outing. Pair it with a walk around Melton Mowbray's town centre afterwards for something a bit different. The wood itself is best visited when the ground's relatively dry, so aim for late spring through early autumn. Nothing dramatic happens here, but that's rather the point.