Herriard Green

A quiet corner of Hampshire that doesn't announce itself. Herriard Green is a small nature reserve sitting just outside Alton, the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. It's genuinely peaceful - open grassland with patches of woodland, the kind of spot where you might actually hear birds instead of traffic.

The reserve itself is modest in scale, which is exactly why it works. There's no visitor centre or café, no crowds jostling for photos. You get proper countryside walking without needing to trek for hours. Spring brings wildflowers; autumn the changing leaves. Birdwatchers get their money's worth here, though honestly, any walker after a gentle hour away from Alton will find it worthwhile.

Families with younger kids might find it a bit limited - there's no play area, and frankly, kids can get restless on straightforward nature walks. But if you're after somewhere to stretch your legs between attractions, or you genuinely care about spotting woodland birds, it delivers. Bring binoculars.

If you're staying at Wigwam Holidays nearby, it's close enough for a morning wander before heading elsewhere. Don't expect car parks or facilities - turn up prepared. The admission situation is unclear from the information available, so check ahead, but these reserves are typically free. Allow forty minutes to an hour, depending on how seriously you take the bird spotting. It's gentle, undramatic, and thoroughly Hampshire.