Clissett Wood

Ancient oaks stretch their gnarled branches across mossy paths while birdsong fills the air above your head. Clissett Wood feels properly wild, the sort of place where you might spot a woodpecker hammering away or catch a flash of red as a deer bounds through the undergrowth. Just outside Ledbury, this woodland makes for a cracking morning walk when you want to escape the car park crowds elsewhere.

Families with older children will get the most from the uneven terrain and fallen logs that beg to be climbed. The paths aren't pushchair-friendly, so leave the buggy behind. Dog walkers love it here - plenty of space for four-legged friends to have a proper explore, though keep them on leads during nesting season.

Expect to spend a good hour or two if you're walking at a decent pace, longer if the kids are busy building dens from fallen branches. The wood connects with other footpaths, so keen ramblers can easily extend their route. Spring brings bluebells carpeting the forest floor, while autumn turns the canopy into a riot of copper and gold.

Coupling this with a stay at nearby Mike's Meadow Glamping or Brook House Woods makes perfect sense - you're well-placed for exploring the Malvern Hills and the market town of Ledbury itself. Pack a thermos and some sandwiches; there's nothing quite like a woodland picnic on a proper tree stump.