The Belt

A strip of woodland that runs through the Nottinghamshire countryside like a green spine - that's The Belt. It's proper woodland walking territory, the kind of place where you can actually lose yourself for an hour or two without bumping into theme parks or tourist crowds.

The trees here are dense enough that you'll feel genuinely separated from the outside world, even though Doncaster's only a short drive away. Paths wind through, and it's the sort of spot where you might actually see something wildlife-wise if you're quiet about it. The ground's often boggy underfoot after rain, so decent boots help.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a destination in itself - no visitor centre, no facilities that we could find - but it's a solid addition to a countryside weekend if you're staying at one of the nearby parks. Waterfront Country Park, just 3.5 miles off, makes a natural pairing; you could easily do a morning in The Belt's woodlands and then spend the afternoon at the holiday park's facilities. Misterton Holiday Park, five miles south, offers a similar combo.

Timing-wise, allow between one and three hours depending on which routes you take. Spring's probably nicest when there's something happening underfoot, though summer's fine if you don't mind it being a bit darker under the canopy. Winter gets muddy and grim. It's free to walk, which is the main selling point really. No frills, no fuss - just trees and paths.