Beech Plantation

The towering beeches here create a cathedral-like canopy that shifts from deep green to copper depending on the season. Beech Plantation, just outside Newbury, is genuinely worth a walk if you're staying at one of the nearby glamping sites or campsites - Hollington Park is barely two miles away, which makes it an easy morning venture. The forest floor is soft underfoot, carpeted with leaf litter, and in autumn it's frankly stunning. Spring brings a different magic entirely, with light filtering through fresh foliage in that particular pale green you only get for a few weeks.

This isn't a destination that'll occupy you for hours. A decent walk round takes forty minutes to an hour, depending on which paths you follow. There's no cafe, no visitor centre, no crowds - just trees and quietness. Families with young walkers will manage fine on the main routes, though it can get muddy after rain. It's the sort of place that justifies a detour if you're combining it with Cherry Bird Country Park nearby, which has more amenities and play areas for kids.

The plantation works brilliantly as a break from campsite life. You get proper fresh air without the effort of a serious hike, and the trees are old enough to feel genuinely peaceful rather than commercial. Go early if you can - there's something about having the place to yourself. Free access as far as I could tell, though it pays to check locally as these things change.