Hedgecock Hill Wood

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination with bells and whistles, Hedgecock Hill Wood sits just outside Crewkerne and delivers exactly what you'd expect from a Somerset forest - dappled light filtering through beech and oak, the occasional sound of birdsong, and enough peace to actually hear yourself think. The paths wind through decent-sized woodland with natural clearings where you can properly see the canopy work. It's the sort of place where you spend two hours wandering without checking your watch, though it won't blow your mind if you're chasing dramatic views or rare flora.

Walkers will get the most from it, particularly those staying at the nearby glamping spots like Esme's Escape or Swallowfield - a morning ramble before breakfast is the ideal use. It's fine with kids too, though they might lose interest after an hour unless you make it into a proper treasure hunt. The woodland is easy enough underfoot, no technical scrambling.

No entrance fees that we can find, and it's genuinely free to access - just turn up. Allow ninety minutes to two hours if you want to explore without rushing. Spring and autumn are best, when the woodland floor is interesting and you're not melting in summer humidity. Winter's muddy and grim.

If you're basing yourself at one of the caravan parks - Thorney Lakes is solid value - this makes sense as a nearby break from campsite life. It's not a headline attraction, but it's a proper, straightforward woodland that does what it says on the tin. That's worth something.