Wheat Ridding Plantation

The woodland floor at Wheat Ridding Plantation is thick with moss and decades of fallen leaves - properly soft underfoot, which makes a pleasant change from the usual muddy Lancashire tramping. It's a working forest just outside Preston, planted long ago and now grown into the sort of place where you can actually think for five minutes without hearing a motorway.

Walkers will get the most from this one. There are decent paths threading through, and the tree density means even on grey days it doesn't feel oppressive - plenty of light filters through. You're looking at somewhere between one and two hours if you're dawdling, less if you're in and out. The plantation has a genuine sense of escape about it, which probably explains why it's popular with locals who know it exists.

It's not a visitor attraction with tea rooms or interpretation boards. There's no charge as far as anyone knows, and no facilities to speak of. But that's rather the appeal. If you're staying at Moss Rose Camping or Wilson House Holiday Park, both within six miles, this is the sort of place to stretch your legs between other activities - a proper forest walk that doesn't demand an all-day commitment.

Bring decent boots if it's been wet. Visit mid-week if you can. Kids get bored after the first mile unless they're serious tree climbers. Best in autumn when the light's better.