Harewood End Wood

A proper woodland walk rather than a manicured tourist trap - Harewood End Wood sits just outside Hereford and delivers exactly what it promises: trees, paths, and the kind of quiet you don't get anywhere near the town centre. The wood itself is mixed woodland, the sort of place where you'll actually see what a British forest looks like when nobody's trying to turn it into a visitor experience. There are established paths threading through, so you won't spend the afternoon hacking through brambles, but it's not so developed that you feel herded along a conveyor belt either.

Walkers will get the most from it - perhaps two hours if you fancy a proper loop, less if you're just after a gentle stroll before heading back to your campsite. Families with young kids will manage fine on the main paths, though there's nothing here to stop them getting bored if they're after attractions rather than trees. The wood rewards actually paying attention: bird life is decent, and on a damp morning you'll spot fungi everywhere.

It's free, which is just as well given there are no facilities to speak of - bring a thermos if you want tea. Best visited outside school holidays when it's quieter, and absolutely magic in autumn when the leaves have turned. If you're camping at Tresseck or Trippenkennett Farm nearby, it's an easy morning out that doesn't require planning or forking out. It won't be the highlight of your holiday, but it'll break up a couple of hours nicely without fuss.