Crouder's Bush

If you're after a proper walk through ancient woodland without the crowds, Crouder's Bush near Gloucester delivers. It's the kind of place where the canopy gets thick enough that even midday feels like early morning, and the paths wind through oak and beech with decent visibility underfoot.

This is a small forest rather than a sprawling estate, so don't expect hours of varied terrain. Most people will get what they came for in 45 minutes to an hour, depending on how many dead-ends you wander down. The woodland floor stays reasonably dry unless it's been raining hard, and there's enough space to let kids run about without losing sight of them entirely.

Walkers will find it worth a diversion if you're based at Millavon Holiday Park or Tewkesbury Abbey Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite - both within easy reach. It pairs well with a wider Gloucestershire itinerary rather than eating up a whole afternoon on its own. The nearest town is Gloucester, so you're not entirely remote, but the forest itself feels removed from all that.

Go early if you can. Late afternoon light through the trees is lovely, but mornings are quieter. There's no visitor centre or facilities on site, so come prepared. Honestly, it's the sort of place locals know and visitors skip - which is probably how it should be.