Clifford's Coppice

Clifford's Coppice is a proper woodland walk in Powys, just outside Hereford's reach into Mid Wales. It's not vast, but it's genuine - old mixed woodland with the kind of quiet that makes you remember why you came to Wales in the first place. The paths are manageable, threading through established trees and the sort of undergrowth that changes with the seasons. Spring brings bluebells if you time it right. Summer's all green shade and the occasional glimpse of light through the canopy.

This is one for people who want a proper walk without needing climbing boots or a map and compass. Dog walkers will appreciate it. Families with reasonably nimble kids can manage it, though there's nothing dramatic enough to hold toddlers' attention for long. History types might find the old coppice management interesting - these woods were actively worked once, and you can still read that story in the way the trees grow.

The walk probably takes an hour or so depending on which paths you fancy. It's free, which is always good news. The ground can get muddy after rain, so decent shoes are worth packing.

It sits nicely between the holiday parks around here - Locksters Pool and Heart of the Wye Glamping are both within striking distance if you're basing yourself in the area. It's the sort of stop that breaks up a longer day exploring the Wye Valley rather than a destination in itself, but that's not a criticism. Sometimes a good woodland walk is exactly what you need.