Parkbreast Coppice

The woodland around Parkbreast Coppice is one of those places you stumble upon rather than plan for. It's a proper working forest - not the sort of manicured country estate you might expect - with a genuinely wild feel that makes a refreshing change from managed beauty spots. The mix of deciduous and conifer trees creates decent shelter even when it's drizzling, which, let's be honest, it often is in Cumbria.

Walking through here you get the sense of an actual forest doing its job rather than performing for visitors. There are paths, though they're not heavily signposted, so it rewards a bit of exploration. The canopy gets thick enough that you'll lose the light in places, and the ground stays damp year-round - wear decent boots. It's the kind of place where kids can properly run about without worrying about trampling manicured lawns, and the fallen branches and rough terrain keep them engaged longer than a typical park walk.

Holmrook is your nearest town if you need supplies, though it's small. The bigger draw for a holiday is Fisherground Campsite just two miles away - a proper base if you're planning to make this part of a wider Cumbrian adventure. Don't expect facilities at the coppice itself, and definitely don't expect crowds. Allow two hours if you want to get properly into it without rushing. Best visited when the ground isn't waterlogged, so late spring through autumn works best.