The Gorse

The Gorse is a proper woodland walk just outside Northwich - the sort of place you can slip into without fuss or fanfare. It's not vast, but it delivers what you want from a forest: tall pines, decent shade, and enough path to stretch your legs for an hour or so without it turning into an all-day expedition.

What makes it work is simplicity. You're walking through mixed woodland with the kind of quiet that reminds you why people bother with forests at all. The floor's soft underfoot, mostly needles and leaf litter, and if you time it right you'll avoid the school parties. Kids under eight might find it a touch dull - there's not much in the way of dramatic viewpoints or climbing opportunities - but older children who like the idea of proper woodland exploration will get on with it fine.

You can comfortably do The Gorse in 45 minutes to an hour, which makes it ideal if you're camping nearby at Belmont Hall or Pickmere Leisure Park and want to burn an hour before lunch. It's free to visit, naturally. The best move is an early start to dodge crowds, though honestly it's never heaving.

It won't blow your mind, but it's exactly what it claims to be - a solid bit of woodland on your doorstep. Pair it with the camping at Belmont Hall and you've got a low-key, proper forest feel without needing to drive halfway across Cheshire.