Bathurst Park

The walk into Bathurst Park from Lydney takes you through proper Forest of Dean terrain - all dense woodland and the kind of quiet that makes you realise how few people actually venture this way. It's a nature reserve that rewards the effort, especially if you're after birds and woodland plants rather than manicured paths and visitor centres.

The reserve itself sits in that transitional zone between forestry plantations and older broadleaf woodland, which means the wildlife variety is genuine rather than stage-managed. Birdwatchers do well here, particularly in spring when migratory species pass through. The footpaths are straightforward enough, though you'll want decent boots after wet weather - it's muddy in places and there's little in the way of drainage.

Really, this works best for walkers who don't mind a bit of effort and naturalists keen on spotting things rather than ticking boxes. Children might find it a touch slow unless they're genuinely interested in wildlife spotting. Allow two to three hours for a proper circuit.

For a holiday base, you're well positioned from Deanwood Holiday Cottages just under two miles away, or push slightly further to Whitemead Forest Park if you want more facilities. The proximity to Lydney means you can combine this with coastal walks along the Severn estuary - the park sits at that sweet spot where forest meets water. Free to access, as far as I can gather, and there's no need to book ahead. Just turn up with appropriate footwear and patience.