Roans Wood

The trees here are proper old, towering beech and oak that have been going for centuries. Roans Wood sits just outside Carlisle and it's the sort of place where you can actually breathe - no crowds, no gift shops, just woodland doing what it does best. The paths wind through dense forest floor carpeted with moss and fallen leaves. You'll spot patches of bluebells in spring, though summer when the canopy's fully leafed is when it feels most enclosed and peaceful.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not dramatic or famous - you won't find coach parties here - but that's rather the point. The terrain's manageable, though it can get muddy after rain so proper boots help. Allow a couple of hours if you're in no rush, though an hour works if you've got other things on. Families with young kids will find it fine for an amble, though there's not much to excite them beyond climbing fallen logs.

If you're staying at Low Moor Head Caravan Park six miles away, Roans Wood makes an excellent morning walk without travelling far. It fills the gap between proper attractions nicely - somewhere to clear your head before heading into Carlisle or moving on to bigger Lakeland walks. The admission appears to be free, which is refreshing given how many woodlands now charge. Worth a visit if you're in the area, though don't expect it to be the highlight of your trip.