Ollerton Pit Wood

The woodland here is what you get when a former colliery site decides to become something worth visiting. Ollerton Pit Wood, just outside Newark, is a reclaimed mining area transformed into proper walking country - the kind of place where you can forget there was ever an industrial past beneath your feet.

It's straightforward stuff: woodland trails through mixed trees, good for a couple of hours' rambling without needing to plan a full expedition. The paths are manageable, though muddy after rain, and the whole thing feels less manicured than you'd expect from a heritage site. There's genuine green here, not the over-designed sort.

Walkers will get the most from it. Families with younger kids might find it a bit samey after an hour - it's trees and more trees rather than dramatic viewpoints or heritage buildings. History types will appreciate the slow rewilding story, though there's not much interpretation on the ground. Bring proper boots if you've had wet weather.

The brilliant part is the location. You're minutes from Sherwood Pines Camping if you want a base with facilities, and Center Parcs Sherwood Forest is just down the road for families after something more structured. If you're staying in the area - exploring Sherwood Forest itself or using one of the holiday parks dotted around - Ollerton Pit Wood works as a decent morning walk that doesn't demand a reservation or cost you anything.

Go midweek if you can. Weekends bring more footfall and it loses some of its peaceful quality.