Gover's Glade

A woodland walk near Ringwood that doesn't pretend to be anything grander than it is. Gover's Glade is a quiet spot tucked into the New Forest fringe - the sort of place locals know about and visitors stumble across by accident. You get woodland paths, some decent shade, and if you're lucky, a bit of peace away from the main tourist trails that clog up Ringwood town itself.

It's really for walkers who are already in the area rather than a destination in its own right. Bring the dog, stretch your legs for an hour, nothing more complicated than that. The paths are straightforward enough that you won't need a map, though sturdy shoes help after rain. There's no cafe, no facilities to speak of - this is proper woodland, not a managed attraction.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks - Oakdene Forest Park or Forest Edge are both within four miles - it's a handy circuit to break up the day. Combine it with a walk round Ringwood itself or push on towards some of the bigger New Forest spots if you want more structure. Worth the detour if you're in the area, but don't reroute your holiday specially for it. Go early morning or late afternoon if you can; the light's better and you'll likely have the place to yourself.