Bradley Wood

Bradley Wood is a proper working forest just outside Alresford, the kind of place where you'll actually see foresters at work rather than just wander through manicured trails. It's genuine Hampshire woodland - mixed deciduous trees, plenty of undergrowth, and the kind of quiet that makes you realise how little of it you get at home.

The main draw here is walking. There are tracks through the forest, though it's not heavily signposted, so you need to know roughly where you're going or bring a map. In spring the bluebells are worth the trip alone. Autumn's decent too when the light filters through properly. Summer gets a bit muggy and you'll have company from families doing the obvious thing.

It works well if you're staying at Wigwam Holidays or Hampshire Hills - both are close enough for a morning session without much faff. You could spend an hour here or three, depending on how much you want to explore. There's no visitor centre, no cafe, no facilities really. You're just walking through actual forest.

Historically it's been worked for timber for centuries, which explains the mix of ages and types of trees. If you're the sort who likes understanding land management, it's more interesting than your average nature reserve. Kids under eight might find it a bit samey after half an hour. Proper walkers and photographers will get more from it than casual strollers. Free to access - just show up and get on with it.