The Spinney

The Spinney is a proper woodland walk just outside Sandy, the kind of place that feels a world away from Cambridgeshire's flat fenland. It's a modest forest - nothing vast - but the trees are substantial and the paths wind through in ways that actually give you a sense of being somewhere. You'll find yourself among oak and beech mostly, with the light filtering through in that way that makes you slow down without meaning to.

Walkers get the most from it. It's not a destination that'll occupy a full day, but as an hour's ramble before breakfast or after lunch, it works nicely. The paths are straightforward enough that kids won't get lost, though they might get bored if you're not the sort to point out birds or make a game of spotting wildlife. You're looking at a gentle outing rather than anything strenuous.

If you're staying at Cambridgeshire Lakes or St Neots Camping and Caravanning Club Site - both excellent by the way - The Spinney makes a solid morning addition to your park break. It's close enough that you won't waste half your time driving, far enough that it feels like you've gone somewhere. The beauty of a Cambridgeshire holiday is stringing together a few different spots, and this woodland fits that approach perfectly. Bring a coffee flask, wear decent boots if it's been wet, and don't expect crowds. That's rather the point.