Cheriton Wood

The woodland around Alresford is proper Hampshire - ancient beech and oak doing their thing without any fuss. Cheriton Wood sits just outside town and gives you that classic English forest experience: dappled light, leaf-litter paths, the occasional rabbit bolting across. It's straightforward walking country rather than a destination attraction, which means you won't find visitor facilities or marked loops, but that's rather the point.

You'll want a good hour minimum to get anything out of it, longer if you're the type who stops to identify birds or just stands listening. The wood works well for families with primary-age kids - enough space to let them run without losing them entirely - though teenagers might find it a bit sedate. History buffs will appreciate the fact you're walking through woodland that's been here for centuries, managing itself the old-fashioned way.

Combine it with Alresford town itself, which has genuine character and sits on the restored Watercress Line railway if that appeals. The camping options nearby at Woodlands, The Spinney, and Hampshire Hills are all within easy striking distance, so you could base yourself at one and use Cheriton Wood as part of a wider exploring day. Bring proper footwear - it stays boggy longer than you'd think after rain. Free to access, naturally.