Clavell's Copse

Ancient oaks and towering beech trees create a proper canopy in this Hampshire woodland, just outside Wootton. The paths wind through thick undergrowth where you'll spot everything from bluebells in spring to fungi poking through fallen logs come autumn.

Families will find it's the sort of place where kids can actually be kids - scrambling over fallen trees and building dens without anyone tutting at them. The main track is fairly level, though side paths can get muddy after rain. Dog walkers love it here, and you'll often have the place to yourself on weekday mornings.

About an hour is enough for a proper wander, though determined explorers could easily spend longer. The copse connects to other woodland areas if you fancy extending the walk, and there's a lovely sense of being properly in the countryside despite being so close to civilisation.

It's free to explore and always open, which makes it a cracking addition to a holiday in the area. Families staying at Into the Woods Treehouse or Waverley Park Holiday Centre will find it's practically on their doorstep - perfect for morning walks before the day gets busy. The woodland feels wilder than many managed forests, which is exactly what makes it worth the short detour from the main tourist spots.