Reaveley Braes

The woodland here comes as a proper surprise if you're exploring the countryside around Alnwick. Reaveley Braes is a stretch of mixed forest - nothing vast or dramatically wild, but genuinely pleasant to walk through, with a real sense of being away from things despite being only a short drive from town.

What you get is straightforward: woodland trails that meander through beech and broadleaf trees, a bit of a stream running through, and enough space to actually think. It's the kind of place where you'll hear birdsong rather than traffic. There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so come prepared - bring a map or download one beforehand because signposting is minimal.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not a place for sitting about; you come here to move through it. The walks are fairly gentle, nothing that requires fell boots, though muddy patches are likely depending on the season. Give yourself an hour to two hours depending on how thoroughly you want to explore.

Families with younger kids might find it a bit thin on the ground - there's no playground or obvious stopping points. Older children who actually want to walk will be fine.

If you're based at River Breamish Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just down the road, this works brilliantly as a morning walk before heading elsewhere. It's free to access and sits nicely within a broader day exploring Northumberland's quieter corners.