Great forests to explore history

HIGH LODGE, THETFORD FOREST PARK, SUFFOLK

Follow the 2½-mile Heritage Trail and learn about 4000 years of history at the site. There’s also a touchscreen monitor that will show you how it looked in years gone by.

KETTLES HILLFORT, NORTHUMBERLAND

Situated alongside Thrunton Wood, Kenterdale Hill near Wooler, this fort is large, complex, well preserved and has fine views

CANNOCK CHASE FOREST, STAFFORDSHIRE

Look out for original First World War training trenches. Alternatively (or additionally), head to Sherwood Pines in Nottinghamshire where these trenches have been reconstructed so you can get a real feel for what they would have been like.

THE FOREST OF DEAN, GLOUCESTERSHIRE

Some wonderful remains of Offa’s Dyke – the linear earthwork that follows the approximate border of England and Wales – can be found while walking to Devil’s Pulpit. Here, you’ll find a clearing with an incredible view over the ruins of Tintern Abbey.

SOUTH DOWNS NATIONAL PARK

The South Downs are packed with ancient burial mounds up to 4000 years old (for example, in Charlton Forest, near Midhurst). If you see the word ‘Tumuli’ written on your OS map, it’s worth keeping your eyes peeled, as that means there’s an ancient mound close by.

DALBY FOREST, NORTH YORK MOORS NATIONAL PARK

This area has a huge number of protected sites for one forest, including burial mounds, Roman roads and mediaeval warrening. It has glacial valleys to the south and upland plateau to the north.