Bounds Bottom

Deep woodland walks near Stockbridge, Bounds Bottom is a proper forest escape without the crowds you'd find at more famous New Forest spots. The footpaths here wind through beech and oak, with clearings that open onto chalk downland - the kind of terrain that changes character every twenty minutes or so.

It's the sort of place where you actually use a map rather than follow the masses. The walks range from gentle loops suitable for families to longer routes that'll work up a proper sweat. The forest floor is soft underfoot after rain, which either appeals or doesn't depending on your view of mud. On a clear day, the views south across the Test Valley are worth the leg work.

Walkers will get the most from this. History types might be interested in the medieval open fields and ancient trackways that crisscross the area, though there's not much interpretation on the ground. Young kids can manage the shorter circuits, but there's nothing here to hold their attention beyond an hour or so - no play areas, no visitor facilities, just trees and paths.

Allow two to four hours depending on which route you choose. Go early on weekends if you value solitude. The nearby glamping at The Meadow makes a solid base for exploring this corner of Hampshire, and Stockbridge View offers a slightly more conventional alternative.

No visitor centre, no entrance fee that we're aware of. Just turn up and walk.