Crabtree Copse

Walk into Crabtree Copse and you're immediately swallowed by ancient woodland that feels properly detached from the world. This forest near Petersfield is the kind of place where you forget your phone signal matters. You'll find yourself wandering through dense tree cover, with paths that wind unpredictably - sometimes opening onto small clearings, sometimes narrowing into quiet tunnels of green.

It's excellent for walkers who want something without fanfare. No visitor centre, no crowds fighting over Instagram angles, just woodland as it is. Children do well here too, though they might lose interest after an hour or so unless you're the type to hunt for woodland creatures or build dens. The paths can be muddy and uneven, so proper boots are essential rather than optional.

Allow 45 minutes to two hours depending on how far you wander. There's no entrance fee that we can find, and no fixed opening hours - it operates as a working forest space. Come in autumn when the floor is thick with leaves, or in spring when the canopy's still letting light through.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Adhurst Yurts is only just over three miles away, or Feather Down Manor Farm slightly further - this makes a solid morning or afternoon outing. It's the sort of place that slots naturally into a park holiday in Hampshire rather than demanding a special trip on its own. Worth combining with a walk into Petersfield town for lunch.