Bisham Woods

Walk through Bisham Woods and you'll understand why this stretch of Thames-side forest has barely changed in decades. It's proper ancient woodland - the sort of place where beech and oak lean over the river, and the paths are soft underfoot with centuries of leaf mulch. You're just outside Marlow, close enough for a morning trip but far enough to feel genuinely remote.

The woods run along the Thames, so most people combine a woodland walk with river views. The main paths are well-trodden and easy enough for families, though it's not a manicured park - roots and fallen branches mean you'll need reasonable footwear. Allow an hour minimum if you're just wandering, longer if you're the sort who stops to identify trees. The whole thing is free, and there's no faffing about with tickets.

This works well for anyone staying at Hurleyford Farm or Hurley Riverside Park, both just over 2 miles away - you can walk it from there if you're keen, or drive and park near the village. Walkers will get more from it than young kids, frankly; there's no playground or café, just trees and quiet. But if you're the sort who appreciates old-growth woodland without the crowds you'd find at more famous spots, it's worth the detour. Spring is lovely when the woodland floor is covered in wild garlic and bluebells. Winter's bleak but atmospheric.