Hazleton Covert

Deep in the Gloucestershire countryside near Stroud, Hazleton Covert is a proper woodland walk that doesn't announce itself with signs or visitor facilities. It's just trees - dense, old growth forest that feels genuinely remote despite being close to civilisation. You'll find winding paths through beech and oak, the kind of place where the light filters green through the canopy and you can actually hear yourself think.

This one's for walkers who want a genuine woodland experience rather than a manicured nature reserve. Families with younger children might find it a bit uninspiring - there's no playground, café, or obvious focal point, just forest. But if your kids are the type to spend hours building dens and looking for woodland creatures, they'll be in their element. The walks are straightforward enough, nothing technical, but there's no marked trail system, so bring a map or download the route beforehand.

Allow an hour to two hours depending on how deep you want to go. Spring's lovely when the bluebells are out, though autumn has its own appeal with the colour. The covert sits well within reach of Cirencester Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite - about five and a half miles away - making it a solid half-day option if you're based there for a park holiday.

Free to access, obviously, though you might want to park considerately on nearby lanes. It's the sort of place that rewards a bit of wandering, but don't expect facilities or crowds.