Broad Coppice

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination you'd plan your holiday around, Broad Coppice sits just inland from Weymouth and delivers exactly what you'd expect from a Dorset forest - quiet trails through mixed woodland, the occasional glimpse of light through the canopy, and enough peace to actually hear yourself think. The trees here aren't ancient or particularly dramatic, but they're genuine working woodland, which gives the place an honest feel rather than something prettified for visitors.

It's the kind of spot where walkers genuinely shine. You can pick a loop that takes thirty minutes or stretch it to an hour depending on which paths you fancy, and there's something oddly satisfying about a forest where you're unlikely to encounter crowds. Families with younger kids might find it a touch unremarkable - there's no playground or visitor centre, just trees and soil underfoot - but older children who actually enjoy walking will be fine with it. History enthusiasts won't find much to latch onto either.

Free to access with no set hours to worry about, it's the sort of place you slip into between other activities. Coming from Weymouth, you're minutes away, which makes it handy if the beach is too crowded or the weather's turned drizzly. Pair it with the nearby Chesil Beach Lodge Park if you're staying in the area - close enough for a morning wander before breakfast, undemanding enough that you won't feel obliged to spend your whole day there. Go when it's not actively raining and you'll have a decent walk; go in summer and the canopy keeps things reasonably cool.