Thoroughsale Wood

Ancient woodland doesn't get much more atmospheric than this. Thoroughsale Wood is proper old-growth forest - the sort of place where you half expect to stumble upon a badger's sett or a forgotten Iron Age settlement. The trees are tall and densely packed, creating that wonderful cathedral-like gloom on even the brightest days, and the floor is thick with leaf litter and fallen branches that crunch satisfyingly underfoot.

This is walker territory, plain and simple. You won't find a visitor centre or manicured paths here - it's the real thing, which means it demands a bit of respect and decent footwear. The woodland offers several routes depending on how ambitious you're feeling, ranging from gentle wanders to longer explorations that will eat up a good three hours of your morning. Families with young children will enjoy it for an hour or so, though don't expect playground facilities or obvious attractions - the appeal is the forest itself.

It's free to explore and accessible year-round, though spring and early autumn are particularly rewarding when the light filters through the canopy just right. Winter walks can be muddy as hell, so come prepared.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby caravan parks - Brightside, Rural Relaxing, or Get Lost In Nature - Thoroughsale Wood makes an excellent morning or afternoon outing. It's close enough to Peterborough for a quick visit but feels properly remote. Combine it with other woodland walks in the area to make a proper Leicestershire forest tour.