Primrose Hill Wood

Dog walkers and families looking for proper woodland will find this pocket of forest just outside Northwich refreshingly uncommercialized. The paths wind through mature trees without any of the visitor centre faff you get at larger sites, making it feel genuinely wild rather than managed to death.

Primrose Hill Wood works best for those who want a proper ramble rather than a gentle stroll - the terrain has enough ups and downs to feel like proper countryside walking. Kids who are happy scrambling over fallen logs and poking about in the undergrowth will love it here, though pushchair users might struggle with some of the rougher sections.

The lack of facilities means you'll need to come prepared with your own drinks and snacks, but that's rather the point. It's the sort of place where you can let children be properly muddy without worrying about disturbing other visitors or keeping to marked trails.

For families staying at nearby sites like Delamere Forest Camping or Wild Shore Delamere, it makes an excellent contrast to the busier attractions around Delamere. Allow at least an hour for a decent walk, though enthusiastic explorers could easily spend a morning here. Best visited when the ground isn't too sodden - wellies recommended regardless of season.