Basin Covert

A proper woodland walk rather than a grand forest adventure, Basin Covert sits on the edge of Melksham and delivers exactly what it promises - quiet trees, a decent path, and the sort of place where you might actually hear birds instead of traffic. The covert itself is modest by forestry standards, but that's rather the point. You're not trudging through endless coniferous plantations here; it's a mixed woodland with enough character to feel like a genuine escape from town.

The walking is straightforward. Paths wind through the trees without major elevation, so it suits families with younger kids and anyone not looking for a gruelling hike. Allow an hour if you're dawdling, forty minutes if you know where you're going. It's free to access and there's no faffing about with tickets or visitor centres.

The real strength is proximity. If you're camping at Devizes Camping and Caravanning Club Site or Piccadilly Caravan Park - both within spitting distance - Basin Covert works as a morning leg-stretch before doing something grander elsewhere. Pair it with a proper walk on the Downs or a visit to one of Wiltshire's numerous archaeological sites and you've got a day sorted. On its own, though, it won't hold most adults for long. Dog walkers will appreciate it, and it's the sort of place to visit when the weather's decent and you want fresh air without drama.