Court Wood

Court Wood is a proper working forest just outside Hereford - the kind of place where you're more likely to bump into a timber lorry than a coach full of tourists. It's managed woodland rather than a manicured country estate, which means the paths are genuine and the atmosphere feels less performed.

You get a decent network of walking trails threading through mixed deciduous trees, with enough height variation to make it interesting without being knackering. The wood changes character through the seasons - spring bluebells are worth timing a visit for, while autumn colours draw people in too. Summer's fine if you don't mind the flies. Winter footfall is lightest, which some prefer.

This works best for serious walkers rather than families with small kids expecting a playpark. Anyone after a genuine woodland ramble within striking distance of Hereford will find it worthwhile. You're looking at between 45 minutes for a quick loop to a couple of hours if you explore properly.

The Forest of Dean is bigger and more famous just across the border, but Court Wood doesn't have that tourist infrastructure - which is either a selling point or a drawback depending on your mood. It's free to access and there's no formal visitor centre, so just turn up.

If you're camping at Kaya at Blackhill Farm or Olchon Valley Campsite nearby, you could slot this into a day without much effort. The trails are muddier and rougher than marked forest parks, so proper boots recommended.