Foxcote Plantation

The woodland at Foxcote Plantation sits quietly between Cheltenham and the Cotswolds proper, offering a proper walking escape without the crowds you'd find at more famous forest spots. It's a mix of conifers and broadleaf trees - the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think, which counts for something in the South West.

What you get here are straightforward woodland walks, the kind that work best in autumn when the leaf cover turns lovely and muddy underfoot. There's no gift shop, no visitor centre, no fees to fret about. You turn up, you walk, you leave. The trails wind through the plantation without drama, though the tree density means it can feel a touch gloomy on overcast days - so pick your weather carefully.

Families with young kids who need to burn energy will find it useful enough for an hour or so. Serious walkers might feel it's a bit thin on distance and views compared to the forests over towards the Forest of Dean. If you're base camping at Bourton-on-the-Water Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, it's close enough for a morning wander before heading somewhere with more spectacular scenery.

Best visited on a clear day when the canopy's not quite so heavy. Don't expect viewpoints or landmarks - just trees and the sound of your boots on the path. That's rather the point.