Dead Hedge

You'll find yourself standing in front of what looks like a very deliberate pile of branches, and that's rather the point. Dead Hedge in Wokingham is an art installation - or environmental intervention, depending on who you ask - that's become something of a talking point among garden visitors and sculptural art enthusiasts in the area.

The concept is straightforward: a towering structure made entirely from dead wood, branches and garden waste arranged into a defined form. It's the sort of thing that makes you stop and think about what gardens are for, what we discard, and how landscape can be reimagined. Children often find it genuinely interesting to clamber around (where permitted), while adults tend to photograph it and debate its merits. Fair warning: it won't take you long. Twenty minutes absolute maximum, and that's if you're lingering.

Its real value sits in being part of a wider Wokingham wander rather than a destination in itself. You're close enough to Wellington Country Park, about five miles away, where you'll find proper walking and picnic spaces if you've got kids who need proper entertaining. California Chalet & Touring Park is nearer still, just under five miles, and works well as a base if you're exploring the area.

Timing-wise, any season works, though winter visits have a certain appeal - the bare branches rather suit the aesthetic. Check locally before visiting as details remain sparse, but there's no harm in a quick detour if you're in Reading territory.