Burnbeat Copse

Walking into Burnbeat Copse feels like stepping back in time. This Somerset woodland, just outside Chard, is all gnarled oaks and dense undergrowth - the kind of place where you half expect to stumble upon something ancient. The trees are substantial, proper old specimens that have been there for centuries, and the floor is carpeted with leaf litter that muffles your footsteps entirely.

It's a straightforward woodland walk rather than a manicured nature reserve. There are no facilities, no marked trails that I could spot, and no visitor centre - which means you get the forest on its own terms. Bring a decent map or use your phone's GPS, because it's easy to lose your bearings under the canopy. The appeal is simple: if you like trees, soil, and the smell of damp woodland, you'll find it rewarding. If you're after dramatic vistas or rare birds, you might leave disappointed.

Families with young kids will manage a short potter about, but there's not enough to hold their attention for more than an hour. Walkers and natural historians will get more from it - especially in autumn when the leaf colour is proper stunning. Spring brings bluebells scattered through the undergrowth, which lifts the place considerably.

Stay at one of the nearby sites - Dimpsey Shepherd's Hut Glamping is closest at just two miles away - and you can visit Burnbeat as part of a broader ramble through the Levels. Don't expect much; expect woodland, and you'll be content.