Adchester Wood

The woodland around Adchester, just outside Witney, is proper walking territory. Ancient trees, decent paths, and the kind of quiet you don't get near towns. There's a real sense of stepping into something old here - these woods have been around for centuries, and you feel it the moment the light filters through the canopy.

It's brilliant for families who want their kids to burn energy without the screaming crowds of a theme park. Walkers will appreciate the network of trails cutting through - bring proper boots though, as it gets muddy after rain. History buffs might find the landscape interesting given the Roman and medieval heritage of the area, though there aren't obvious monuments to inspect. Plan a couple of hours minimum, longer if you're thorough or just fancy sitting about with a thermos.

The nearness to Witney makes it convenient if you're based at Lincoln Farm Park Partnership or Hardwick Parks. It's a proper antidote to caravan life - get out, breathe some forest air, let the woodland do its thing. Cotswold Edge near Ducklington is a touch further but still workable as a home base. Free to access, naturally. Go early if you want any chance of solitude, though realistically this isn't the sort of place that gets rammed. Winter's actually decent - the bare trees open up views and the mud can be navigated. Summer's lovely if you don't mind the insects.