Avon Heath Country Park

The heathland around Avon Heath, just outside Ringwood, is a proper breath of fresh air if you're camped at one of the nearby parks like Forest Edge or Ashley Heath. It's open access land - free to wander - and the whole area feels like you've stepped back in time. Gorse and heather dominate the landscape, punctuated by birch and pine, and in summer the place explodes with colour. You'll spot adders if you're lucky, and the bird life is genuinely impressive: hobby falcons, woodlarks, stonechats. Bring binoculars if you're into that sort of thing.

The walking is straightforward. No dramatic climbs, just gentle trails through low vegetation that rarely gets above chest height. You can knock out a couple of hours easily, or potter about for half the day without feeling like you've gone miles. It's ideal for families with kids old enough to manage uneven ground - toddlers might struggle with the terrain, though.

Winter transforms it completely. The place falls quiet, the light gets low and golden, and you feel almost alone. Spring is excellent too, especially April and May when everything's blooming. Summer can get busy with other visitors and the occasional quad bike.

The real draw is how unspoilt it remains. This is old Dorset - the sort of landscape you'd have seen a hundred years ago. Close enough to your holiday park that you don't need a massive expedition, but far enough removed that the crowds thin out fast. If you're after proper countryside without the manicured feel of most country parks, it's well worth the short drive from Ringwood.