Asserbos

Asserbos is the wooded park on the edge of Assen, the capital of the province of Drenthe, and it is the green space most often used by the town's residents. It is a mature forest of tall old trees, with ponds, clearings and meadows between them, and it is crossed by a network of paths for walking, running and cycling. It is regularly described as one of the older town woods in the country, and the age of some of the trees certainly gives it a settled, almost estate-like feel. The woodland is open at all hours, free to enter and used throughout the year.

What you see changes with the seasons. In spring the forest floor is covered with flowers and the trees come into leaf in a light green, in summer the canopy gives welcome shade, and in autumn the beech and oak turn gold and brown. Birds are abundant, and squirrels are easy to spot on the trunks and paths, along with rabbits in the quieter corners. The ponds attract ducks and other waterbirds. For photographers and birdwatchers, early morning is the best time, when the light comes through the trees and the paths are empty.

The woods are made for families and local use. There are playgrounds and open grassy areas where children can run, benches for picnics, and well-surfaced paths that suit prams as well as bikes. Dog owners use the forest a great deal, so expect to share the paths with walkers and their pets. It is also a good place for a jog or a gentle bike ride, as the ground is flat and the routes can be combined into loops of various lengths.

Assen offers other things to see within a short distance. The Drents Museum is the regional museum, with archaeology that includes finds from the bogs of Drenthe, and the Gouverneurstuin, the Governor's Garden, is a pleasant formal garden near the centre. Petrol-heads know Assen for the TT Circuit, the racing track that hosts the Dutch round of the motorcycle Grand Prix. In summer, Baggelhuizerplas, a lake with a small beach, gives a place to swim and relax, so a day can easily combine woods, water and culture.

Asserbos suits walkers, cyclists, families and nature lovers who want to spend a quiet hour or two close to the centre. Bring comfortable shoes, and in wet weather expect some mud on the unpaved paths.