Bitter Cleeve Copse

A dense woodland walk near Taunton that rewards you with proper peace and quiet - something rare enough these days. Bitter Cleeve Copse isn't a manicured forest with visitor centres or marked trails; it's the real thing, with proper trees blocking out most of the sky and the ground thick with leaf litter that goes soft underfoot.

You're looking at a solid hour or two wandering through here, depending on how lost you fancy getting. The canopy is thick enough that it'll keep you dry in light drizzle, though after heavy rain the whole place turns into a bit of a bog. Families with young kids might find the lack of defined paths frustrating - there's no obvious loop or destination, just woodland. But if you've got teenagers or adults who want a proper walk away from everything, this does the job.

The copse works well as a half-day excursion from Waterrow Touring Park, which sits five miles away and offers decent facilities if you're holidaying in Somerset. After an hour tramping through the woods, you won't feel shortchanged by the effort. There's something grounding about old woodland with no crowds, no signage, and no sense of being herded anywhere in particular.

Free to access - bring decent boots and expect to get a bit muddy. Go on a weekday morning if you want the place entirely to yourself.