Foxbury Coppice

Walking into Foxbury Coppice feels like stepping back in time. This ancient woodland near Bridport is the kind of place where you actually notice things - the tilt of light through oak and beech, the proper forest floor layered with decades of leaf litter, paths that clearly predate the modern world.

It's woodland for people who like woodland, not for those wanting a quick photo opportunity. The coppice - that's managed woodland cut on a rotation - shows its age and history in the gnarled trees and the way the land rolls. You'll find yourself walking for the sake of walking here, which is exactly the point. Families with younger children might find it a bit samey after 45 minutes, but teenagers and adults will get hours out of it, particularly if you're into the quieter side of the Dorset countryside.

Allow a solid couple of hours if you want to do it properly. There's no visitor centre or facilities that I'm aware of - it's a working woodland, not an attraction designed for tourists. That's rather refreshing, actually.

If you're staying at Wytch Wood Camping or The Dorset Hideaway, both just over 3 miles away, this is your proper forest walk without needing to drive far. Pair it with a coastal outing to Bridport itself - the town's got enough about it to make a half-day work. Best visited after rain when the woodland actually smells like something.