Scatterdells Wood

The woodland paths through Scatterdells Wood feel properly remote despite being barely three miles from Hemel Hempstead town centre. It's the kind of place where you can genuinely lose an hour wandering without seeing another soul, which counts for something in the South East.

This is ancient broadleaf forest - oak and beech mostly - with decent walking trails that wind through the undergrowth. There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, which is either brilliant or disappointing depending on your tolerance for proper woodland. Bring water, bring a map, and don't expect a tea van.

It works best for walkers who know what they're doing. Families with small children might struggle with the uneven terrain, and if you're after manicured paths and information boards, you'll be disappointed. What you get instead is genuine quiet and the chance to actually see woodland as woodland, not as a managed attraction.

The nearest holiday parks - Fuzzy's Farm and Whelpley Hill Park are both close enough for a morning ramble between accommodation and something else - work well as a break from park routines. Allow two to three hours if you're actually exploring, less if you're just after a quick leg-stretch.

Go autumn or spring. Summer brings midges, winter can make the paths boggy. It's free, it asks nothing of you, and for that reason alone it's worth the drive from Hemel Hempstead if you're serious about getting under the trees.