Colwall Coppice

The woodland around Colwall, just outside Malvern, is proper walking country - dense enough to feel like you've actually escaped, but not so wild that you'll get lost in five minutes. Colwall Coppice itself is managed forestry, with a network of tracks threading through beech and oak that change character with the seasons. Spring brings bluebells thick on the forest floor; autumn turns the canopy into shades of rust and gold.

It's the kind of place where a two-hour wander feels like a proper day out without requiring map skills or hiking boots. The terrain's gentle by Herefordshire standards - a few rises, but nothing that'll leave you gasping. Dog walkers and families with younger kids will find this far more manageable than tackling the Malvern Hills proper, though the views don't match up to what you get from the ridge.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of - it's simply woodland you can walk through. Free access, as far as I can tell, though you should stick to established paths. Allow a couple of hours if you're taking it slowly; an hour if you're just after a decent stretch of your legs.

It works well as a quieter alternative to the busier Malvern attractions if you're staying at one of the nearby glamping or caravan sites like Out To Grass or Mike's Meadow. The forest itself won't blow your mind, but it's exactly what you want when the weather's decent and you fancy stepping away from the car park crowds.