Roger's Coppice

You'll find yourself in proper woodland walking territory at Roger's Coppice, a working forest just outside Atherstone that feels like proper countryside despite being hemmed in by the Midlands. The paths are well-maintained and reasonably easy to navigate - mixed woodland with plenty of native species, the kind of place where you actually feel removed from the nearby towns.

It's ideal for a couple of hours if you're basing yourself at Nightingales Rustic Camping down the road. The trails aren't gruelling, so families with younger kids will manage fine, though you'll want proper footwear after rain as it does get boggy in patches. Dog walkers love it here - there's space to let them off lead and explore without feeling hemmed in.

What you get is straightforward woodland walking rather than dramatic landscape. No viewpoints or visitor facilities to speak of, so go prepared with water and snacks. It's the sort of place local walkers know about rather than something that'll have you queuing at the gate. The main appeal is that it's quiet and accessible enough for a proper stretch of the legs without the crowds you'd get at the big country estates nearby.

Free access from what I can gather, and you can knock it out in an afternoon alongside exploring Atherstone itself. If you're after something bigger and more manicured, you might want to venture further afield, but if you value peace and actual working woodland over polished attractions, Roger's Coppice delivers. Good for solitude, dodgy for photos.