The National Forest is full of fabulous places for a tour to work off the exaggeration of Christmas. The forest fetching 200 square miles of Leicestershire, Derbyshire and Staffordshire has around 400 woodlands to look along with open spaces, beautiful lakes and reservoirs and plenty of play areas for youngsters.

During holidays of Christmas and New Year, it is difficult to find a cool place where you can avoid the rush of heavily-trodden streets. This place could offer you the peace you want to have while spending your holidays with your family members or friends.

Take a glance at the new Poppy Wood outside Melbourne on the northern boundary of the Forest, walking along the canal at Moira Furnace in the heart of the Forest and checking Pit Prop Wood next to children's play area or step out by ancient forest of Needwood at Jackson's Bank in Staffordshire.

Throw the cobwebs aside on craggy Beacon Hill in Leicestershire or walk within the growing woodland at Willesley Wood near Ashby de la Zouch. Climb at Billa Barra, just off junction 22 of the M1, or – for something very exotic – see the National Memorial Arboretum at Alrewas and feel the dignity of the new Armed Forces Memorial.

For any suggestion regarding places to walk in the Forest make use of the mutual map at Nationalforest.org/mapping or visit the Tourist Information Centres in the Forest at Ashby de la Zouch, Coors Visitor Centre in Burton upon Trent or Sharpe's Pottery Museum in Swadlincote.