Alice Street Wood

Walk into Alice Street Wood near Mells and you're immediately swallowed by proper old Somerset woodland - the kind where the canopy gets so thick you lose track of what time it is. It's a modest patch by national standards, but don't let that fool you. The paths wind through beech and oak, dappled light hitting the forest floor, and on a quiet morning you'll hear nothing but your own feet on last season's leaves.

This is walker territory, pure and simple. Families with young kids will manage a loop, but anyone expecting playgrounds or facilities will be disappointed - there's nothing here but trees and silence. Maybe thirty minutes to an hour depending on which path you take. It's the sort of wood you visit in autumn when the colours are proper stunning, or early spring when the undergrowth isn't too thick and you can actually see where you're going.

The nearest town, Mells, is close enough for lunch before or after, which breaks up the afternoon nicely. Staying at Glamping on the Hill just down the road puts you within minutes of the wood, making it an easy add-on to a broader Somerset break. Longleat Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite is also within striking distance if you're already in the area visiting Longleat House. Alice Street Wood won't revolutionise your holiday, but it's a solid stretch-your-legs option between the bigger attractions. Worth fitting in if you're in Mells anyway.