Hen Wood

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination in itself, Hen Wood sits just outside Petersfield and delivers exactly what you'd hope from a Hampshire forest - tall beech and oak, dappled light, the kind of quiet that makes you remember why you came south for a break. The woodland floor is soft underfoot, carpeted with leaf litter and the occasional fern, and on a decent day the canopy opens up enough to remind you the sky exists. You're looking at a couple of hours maximum to get a feel for it, maybe less if you're not the ambling type. There's no visitor centre, no tea room, no charge - just access to decent walking through trees. Locals use it regularly, so you'll see dog walkers and families doing the school-run equivalent, but it rarely feels rammed. It's the sort of place that works well for families with younger kids who need to burn energy, or for anyone wanting to stretch legs between Petersfield's market square and the South Downs. Worth the detour if you're basing yourself at Cedar Valley or Woodlands Camping nearby - genuinely better than sitting in a holiday park playing cards. Worth noting though: it's not a destination you'd drive an hour out of your way for. The real appeal is being on your doorstep if you're staying local. Spring's lovely when the bluebells come through, though expect mud after rain.