Beech Copse

The beech trees here tower above you in a way that makes you immediately understand why people come back to woodlands like this. Beech Copse, just outside Cirencester, is a proper forest walk rather than a gentle stroll - the canopy's thick enough that even on bright days it feels like you're moving through something genuinely wild. The floor's carpeted with leaf litter and moss, which makes it easy underfoot in dry weather, though muddy stretches appear after rain. There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, which is either refreshing or inconvenient depending on your mood.

Walkers will find this far more rewarding than families with small children. The paths wind through genuine woodland for a couple of hours if you're thorough, and there's enough shelter and space to let dogs roam without constantly herding them back. History types might struggle - there's nothing obviously significant about the place, just trees doing what beech does. But if you want quiet and some actual green space that doesn't feel manicured, it delivers.

Stay at Cirencester Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just 1.8 miles away and you could combine this with exploring the Roman town properly. Hoburne Cotswold Holiday Park, five or so miles off, offers more facilities if you've got the family in tow and want a gentler base. Allow an hour minimum if you're just passing through, longer if you're serious about it.