Whitefarland Wood

Head into Whitefarland Wood and you'll find yourself in proper woodland - the kind where the light filters through in long shafts and you can actually hear yourself think. It's forest walking rather than a manicured nature trail, which means decent boots are a good call, especially after rain.

The wood sits on the Isle of Arran side of Argyll, so if you're basing yourself at Carradale Bay Holiday Park five miles down the road, this makes a solid half-day outing. Bring a map or download the route beforehand - waymarking is basic at best. The tree coverage is dense enough to feel properly secluded, which appeals far more to walkers after a genuine escape than families wanting an easy loop.

Allow two to three hours if you're actually exploring rather than just wandering in and turning straight back. There's no visitor centre or facilities, so pack a flask. Kids will either love the freedom of it or get restless when the novelty of jumping over fallen logs wears off - depends on the child, really.

Best visited in autumn when the canopy opens up a bit and you're not fighting through shoulder-height bracken. Summer can feel claustrophobic if the undergrowth's thick. The wood itself is free to walk, no gates or barriers, which is refreshing in an era of charges for everything. It's the kind of place that rewards patience and proper footwear more than Instagram potential.