Ring Haw

The woodland around Ring Haw offers a proper escape from the Peterborough sprawl without requiring a huge trek. What you're getting here is classic Northamptonshire forest - mixed deciduous trees, decent footpaths, and the kind of quiet that makes you remember why you bothered coming out in the first place.

It's not a named visitor attraction with facilities or anything formal. Ring Haw is simply a walking area where locals head to stretch their legs among the trees. The forest is manageable in size, so you won't spend the whole day here, but that's partly the appeal - it slots nicely into a wider forest circuit if you're based at one of the nearby campsites. Rockingham Forest Park, just a mile away, makes a natural pairing if you want a more developed base with more infrastructure.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's accessible enough for families with decent stamina, though younger kids might find it a bit samey after an hour or so. Bring proper footwear - the ground can be boggy in patches, especially after rain.

There's no entrance fee that we're aware of, and you can turn up whenever suits. Early morning or late afternoon tends to be quieter. Allow 45 minutes to an hour for a loop walk depending on your pace and which routes you take. If you're camping at Castle Farm Campsite or any of the other places scattered across this area, Ring Haw makes a worthwhile detour rather than a standalone destination.