Dollaker's Green

The woodland paths at Dollaker's Green offer proper escape from the Swindon sprawl - you're talking genuine forest walks rather than manicured parkland. The trees are dense enough that you genuinely feel removed from the world, with routes threading through mixed woodland that vary enough to keep things interesting across a couple of hours.

It's the kind of spot that works brilliantly for families wanting to let kids burn energy without fighting crowds, and walkers after something low-key will find decent trails here. The terrain's forgiving too - no brutal climbs or technical bits. You can dawdle with small children or move at a proper pace if that's your style.

Most people seem to allow an hour to ninety minutes, though you can stretch it longer if you're keen on spotting birds or just sitting quietly. No facilities to speak of that I could find, so bring what you need. The place runs on a fairly informal basis - I'd check locally in Swindon before heading out to confirm the current access situation.

If you're based at Malmesbury Glamping or Burton Hill Caravan Park, this slots in nicely as a morning outing or afternoon break from the camper. It's close enough to the parks to not eat into your day, but far enough that you're not treading the same ground as every other camper visitor. Best visited when the ground isn't waterlogged - winter mud here can be grim.