Catherston Coppice

The woodland around Catherston, just outside Bridport, is proper walking country. Catherston Coppice itself is a modest patch of mixed woodland that feels worlds away from the coastal bustle, even though you're barely a mile from town. The trees here are mostly beech and oak, with the sort of dappled light that makes you actually want to slow down and notice things.

This is very much a local's spot rather than a destination in itself. Come for a brisk hour-long walk, not a half-day expedition. The paths are well-trodden but can get muddy after rain, so proper boots are worth bringing. There's something quietly satisfying about it - no visitor centre, no crowds, no fuss. If you're staying at Newlands Holiday Park or Seadown just down the road, it's an easy stroll to clear your head before breakfast.

History buffs won't find much to sink their teeth into here, but walkers and families after a gentle morning among the trees will get good value. The real appeal is how accessible it is. Ten minutes from Bridport's shops and restaurants, yet you're genuinely in woodland. In spring, the bluebells are worth timing a visit for. Summer gets warm and sticky under the canopy, which is either refreshing or claustrophobic depending on how you feel about trees.

Combine it with a coastal walk along Golden Cap - the cliffs are spectacular and only a few miles west - and you've got a proper morning sorted. Admission's free, naturally.