Downton Millennium Green

A modest green space just outside Salisbury that punches above its weight if you're after a proper walk through woodland and meadow. Downton Millennium Green is the sort of place locals know well but rarely makes it onto tourist itineraries, which is precisely why it's worth a detour.

The reserve itself is a mix of native woodland and open grassland, threaded through with decent walking trails that'll take you anywhere from thirty minutes to a couple of hours depending on how much you fancy exploring. In spring the wildflowers are genuinely good - not Instagram-famous, but the real deal. Birdwatchers should bring binoculars; you'll spot warblers and woodpeckers without too much effort.

It's ideal for families who want their kids to actually burn energy rather than stand around looking bored at some grand country estate. The paths are well maintained and flat enough that you won't have toddlers complaining within five minutes. Serious walkers might find it a bit short for a day out, but combine it with other walks in the Salisbury area and you've got something worthwhile.

Free to visit, naturally, and the car park is tucked away at the entrance. No visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so bring a packed lunch if you're planning to settle in. Early morning visits reward you with proper quiet - by late afternoon families tend to pile in after school. If you're based at Hill Cottage Farm Caravan & Camping Park over in Fordingbridge, it's only a twenty-minute drive north, making it a solid half-day addition to a camping holiday.