Holcombe's Copse

Walking into Holcombe's Copse feels like stepping back into something older. The trees here are proper old-growth woodland - the kind where you lose track of time within minutes of leaving the path. It's not massive, which is actually its charm; you can explore the whole thing without it becoming a slog.

You'll find yourself among mixed woodland with decent paths threading through. The ground is soft underfoot most of the year, and the canopy does a job of keeping things shaded even in summer. There's real woodland atmosphere here - birds, the smell of damp earth, the occasional surprise clearing. Families with younger kids will manage fine if they're comfortable off the main tourist trail; walkers after a proper forest experience will get exactly that.

This sits about 5 miles from Pembroke, so it's easily combined with a wider Pembrokeshire explore. If you're based at Grass Roots or Eco Escape - both solid options for a park holiday in the area - Holcombe's Copse works as a proper morning or afternoon walk rather than a destination in itself. The nearest town gives you amenities without the madness of a tourist hotspot.

Honestly, it's the kind of place that rewards a slower pace. Don't rush it. There's no entrance fee or apparent restrictions, which keeps it refreshingly straightforward. Allow 45 minutes to an hour to see it properly rather than just bash through. Winter and early spring offer the best walking conditions when the undergrowth isn't dense.