The Belt

The Belt is a woodland strip that cuts through the Leicestershire countryside just outside Leicester - nothing fancy, just proper trees and open space if you need to stretch your legs. It's the kind of place locals know about and tourists miss entirely, which is exactly the point.

You get a decent walk through mixed woodland, mostly beech and oak, with enough paths to keep you occupied for an hour or two. The ground's usually muddy, so boots are non-negotiable. There's a genuine sense of being away from the city without needing to drive for ages. If you're staying at The Dandelion Hideaway and fancy a morning walk before heading back for breakfast, this works well - it's close enough not to eat into your day but far enough to feel like you've actually gone somewhere.

Families with younger kids might find it a bit limited after forty minutes or so. There's no playground, no visitor centre, no tea shop. It's not that kind of attraction. Walkers and anyone who just wants fifteen minutes of peace and quiet will get far more from it. Worth knowing about if you're based nearby, but don't go out of your way unless you're desperate for green space.

Free to access, naturally. Go early morning if possible - you'll have it almost to yourself and the light filtering through the trees is actually rather lovely.