Grove Wood

You'll find yourself on proper woodland trails the moment you step into Grove Wood, just outside Henley-in-Arden. It's not a manicured country estate - this is the real thing: dense trees, uneven paths, the sort of place where you actually feel like you've left civilisation behind. The woodland floor is thick with leaf litter, and in spring the bluebells make it worth timing your visit accordingly.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's the kind of forest where you can lose an hour without trying, following whatever paths take your fancy. Children with decent boots and a sense of adventure will enjoy it too; there's enough space to properly explore rather than trudge along a marked circuit. If you're staying at Wootton Park Glamping Pods or Island Meadow nearby, it makes an excellent half-day excursion - close enough not to eat into your holiday time, far enough to feel like a proper woodland escape.

Bring proper footwear. After rain it can get boggy in patches, and tree roots are everywhere. There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so come prepared. The whole thing works best if you're genuinely into woodland walking rather than looking for a quick stroll with a café at the end. In that sense, it's refreshingly no-nonsense - just trees, paths, and whatever weather Warwickshire throws at you on the day.