Worksop

Robin Hood's old stomping ground isn't just folklore here - you can feel it in every woodland path and clearing. This former mining town sits comfortably at the edge of Nottinghamshire, where the industrial past meets some genuinely lovely countryside. The town itself is proper workmanlike, with a decent high street that gets busy on market days but quiets down midweek.

Clumber Park dominates the landscape just outside town, and it's absolutely worth the short drive. The Great Lake stretches for miles, with walking paths that'll keep you busy for hours. Shrubbery Lake offers a quieter alternative if the main lake feels too crowded. Both are cracking spots for a picnic when the weather's decent.

Forest lovers are properly spoilt here. Little Broom Wood and Keeper's Ashes provide gentle walks, while the more adventurous can tackle Tranker Wood or explore the network of paths through Round Wood. Each has its own character - some dense and mysterious, others open with clearings that catch the afternoon sun beautifully.

Getting here is straightforward enough. Shireoaks station connects you to Sheffield and Nottingham, though having a car opens up the countryside properly. The M1 runs close by, making it an easy drive from most places.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. You're close enough to nip into Worksop for supplies or a pub lunch, but far enough out to wake up to birdsong rather than traffic. The Sherwood Pines area particularly suits families wanting to combine woodland adventures with proper facilities. It's that rare combination of accessible but genuinely rural - exactly what a proper countryside break should deliver.