Smithybanks Wood

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination you'd spend half a day at, Smithybanks Wood sits just outside Cockermouth and delivers exactly what you'd hope for - tall trees, decent paths, and genuine quiet. The main appeal is straightforward: you get forest without the faffing about. Paths wind through decent stretches of conifers and deciduous woodland, and on a grey afternoon when the light filters through in that specific way, it's rather lovely.

This is walker territory, really. Families with young kids might find it a touch samey after twenty minutes, but if you've got proper little hikers in tow who can manage a proper trail, they'll be fine. History buffs won't find much beyond the trees themselves. Allow an hour for a decent circuit depending on which paths you tackle.

The real value here is proximity to the caravan sites - Greysouthen is barely 2.5 miles away, Whinfell Hall Farm just a shade further. If you're based at either for a week, this is ideal for a morning walk before heading to the bigger draws. It's not groundbreaking stuff, but it beats another lap around the car park. Free to access as far as anyone can tell, though there's no formal visitor centre or anything to point you toward. Worth a detour if the weather's decent and you're already in the area, but don't plan your entire trip around it.