Briary Wood

The woodland around Briary Wood, just outside Chippenham, is the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for - and that's rather the point. It's a working forest with proper trails running through it, the kind where you'll find yourself genuinely lost if you're not paying attention to the path markers. Locals use it for dog walks and quiet morning jogs, which tells you everything about its appeal: this isn't a manicured country estate, it's actual forest.

You're looking at a couple of hours maximum if you're doing a decent loop, though there's enough variation in the terrain to keep it interesting. The woodland floor changes from dense bracken to more open sections where the light gets through properly. Bring decent boots - it can get boggy after rain, and the paths aren't always obvious. Dog owners will find it brilliant, and kids who are past the "carry me" stage will enjoy the freedom of the trails without worrying about crushing a stately home's lawn.

It works well as part of a broader Wiltshire circuit if you're based at one of the nearby caravan sites - Devizes Camping and Caravanning Club Site is only four miles away, making it an easy morning or afternoon detour. There's no visitor centre or café, which keeps things refreshingly simple. Free to access, no booking needed. Go when the weather's been dry for a day or two, and you'll have a proper walk rather than a muddy trudge.