Pelham Holt

Dense woodland stretches across rolling Lincolnshire countryside just outside Alford, offering proper escape from the coastal crowds. Pelham Holt feels refreshingly wild - ancient oak and beech canopy overhead, brambles catching your sleeves on the narrower paths, that proper earthy smell you only get in old woodland.

The forest works well for families with older kids who fancy a proper ramble rather than a gentle stroll. Younger ones might find the uneven terrain a bit much, and pushchairs are definitely out. Dog walkers love it here - plenty of space to let them off the lead without worrying about livestock.

Expect to spend a good hour or two if you're doing it properly. The paths aren't waymarked, so bring your sense of direction or a decent map app. Spring brings bluebells in patches, though nothing spectacular. Autumn colours are lovely if you catch them right.

It's a cracking addition to a caravan break along this stretch of coast. Woodthorpe Leisure Park and Lakeside Springs are both within easy reach, making this woodland a perfect antidote to beach days at Mablethorpe or Sutton-on-Sea. The contrast between forest quiet and seaside bustle works brilliantly - just what you need when the kids have had enough sand for one day.