Sloggar's Wood

The woodland around Stevenage doesn't get much fanfare, but Sloggar's Wood is exactly the sort of place worth knowing about if you're camping at Radwell Lake or staying anywhere nearby. It's a proper native woodland - oak, ash, the usual Hertfordshire mix - and honestly it scratches that green-space itch without requiring a trek into Ashridge or deeper into the countryside.

You get decent walking through here, nothing strenuous, with enough variety to keep you occupied for a couple of hours. The woodland floor gets boggy in patches after rain, so watch your footing. Families with young kids will find it manageable; older children might want something with a bit more drama or a viewpoint to aim for. It's the kind of place where dog walkers outnumber tourists, which tells you something about its appeal - low-key, functional, familiar.

Free to enter, naturally. No visitor centre, no car park to speak of, so you'll need to know where you're going. Best visited on a dry day when the paths aren't squelching underfoot. If you're based at Radwell Lake for a week, this works as a nice half-day wander to break up the camping routine, though it won't be the highlight of your trip. Worth the detour if you're already in the area and fancy stretching your legs. Otherwise, you're not missing out if other plans take priority.