Squirrel Woods

The woodland around Belper is genuinely decent if you want to stretch your legs without committing to a full day hike. Squirrel Woods offers proper forest walking through decent mixed woodland - the kind of place where you'll actually spot wildlife if you're quiet enough, though I'll be honest, the squirrels aren't exactly domesticated photo opportunities.

It's a straightforward woodland walk rather than a themed attraction, which means no entrance fees or scheduled opening hours to worry about. You can turn up whenever suits you. Most people get a solid hour or so from it, though you can easily extend that if the paths link to other routes in the area. The terrain's manageable for families with older kids, but buggies would be a struggle on the woodland floor.

What makes it worth the trip from Belper is the genuine sense of getting away from things without driving an hour to Peak District honey-pot car parks. The air feels properly fresh, and in autumn especially, it's the kind of walk that reminds you why you came to Derbyshire in the first place.

If you're based at Poplars Farm Caravanning just down the road, this is an easy morning outing before heading into Belper itself for lunch. It works best as part of a broader Derbyshire visit rather than a destination in itself. Decent for walkers, nature spotters, and anyone wanting to burn off restless energy without too much fuss.