Butney Row

Walking into Butney Row feels like stepping sideways out of Hampshire's usual commuter-belt landscape. This is proper woodland - dense and dark in places, with ancient oaks doing their job of blocking out the sky. The forest floor is thick with leaf litter and moss, and in spring the whole place transforms with bluebells that make you understand why people bother with postcards.

It's walker territory, mainly. The paths wind through without too much fuss, though they can get muddy after rain - bring proper boots if you've visited recently. You won't find facilities or signage to speak of, which is either brilliant or annoying depending on how you feel about navigating without a hand-held map. Kids will enjoy it if they're the type who like climbing on things and looking for wildlife; younger children might find it a bit samey after half an hour.

No entrance fee that I could find. Allow two to three hours for a proper wander, less if you're just doing a quick loop. Best visited in late spring when the woodland life is at its most interesting, or autumn if you like the crunch underfoot.

Southampton is just five miles south, which makes Butney Row a solid afternoon break during a wider Hampshire park holiday. Roundhill Campsite sits nearby as a base if you're considering staying put - handy for returning to this sort of place without the drive.