Highclere Park

The woodland here feels properly wild, even though you're only a few miles from Newbury. Highclere Park is a nature reserve that rewards a slower pace - bring binoculars and settle in for a couple of hours if you want to see what's actually about. The paths wind through ancient woodland where you might spot deer, badgers if you're lucky, and a proper selection of woodland birds depending on the season.

Walkers will get the most from this place. It's not a destination for rushed visits or impatient children, but families with patient kids who like spotting things in undergrowth will do well here. There's something meditative about it - no big viewpoints or dramatic vistas, just good honest woodland walking with the chance of genuine wildlife encounters. Bring a field guide and make a morning of it.

The nearest facilities are in Newbury, so stock up on coffee beforehand. Opening times and admission aren't always clearly signposted, so best to check locally when you arrive in the area. If you're based at Hollington Park Glamping just down the road, this works as an excellent half-day diversion from the campsite - close enough for a morning session without eating into your whole day. Cherry Bird Country Park and Bishops Green Farm are also nearby, so you could realistically combine this with other activities across the week.