Blount's Wood

The woodland here, just outside Marlow, is proper walking territory - the kind of place where you can lose a good couple of hours without realising. Blount's Wood spreads across enough ground to feel properly wild, with paths threading through beech and oak that'll remind you why the Thames Valley still has teeth despite all the commuter towns breathing down its neck.

It's walkers' country, full stop. If you're after a gentle stroll with the family, this works, but the real appeal is for anyone wanting something a bit more substantial - uneven ground, proper woodland, the chance to see what British woodland actually looks like when it's not manicured into a country estate. Kids will either love scrambling about or get bored within the hour; there's no playground, no café, just trees and paths. Bring a map. Phone signal's not guaranteed.

Free to access as far as most woodland is, though do check ahead if there are any seasonal closures. Allow at least ninety minutes if you're doing a proper loop. Early morning is best - you'll have the place largely to yourself, and the light through the canopy is genuinely special then.

Staying at any of the nearby parks - Shillingridge's only a mile away, Hurley Riverside a bit further - makes this an easy add-on to a proper Thames Valley trip. It's the sort of walk that slots in nicely after a morning in Marlow itself, breaking up the time between the river towns and evening plans. Not Instagram-worthy, but absolutely worth the detour.