Horse Copse

Horse Copse is a small woodland near Chippenham that offers a straightforward walk through trees and scrubland - nothing fancy, but decent enough if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan sites and fancy getting out of the van for an hour. The forest itself is unremarkable as Wiltshire woodlands go: a mix of deciduous trees, some overgrown sections, the sort of place where you'll hear more birdsong than see dramatic vistas. It's the kind of spot that works better as a morning leg-stretch than a destination in itself.

Families with younger kids might find it a bit dull after twenty minutes or so - there are no facilities, no playgrounds, and the paths aren't particularly exciting. Serious walkers won't find much to write home about either. That said, if you're parked up at Roe Deer Fields or Plough Lane Caravan Site and the weather's halfway decent, it beats sitting in the garden. You get a proper woodland atmosphere without having to drive far, and it's free to wander about.

There's no entrance fee or visitor centre - just park nearby and head in. Allow an hour maximum unless you're combining it with other woodland walks in the area. Best visited in spring or autumn when the undergrowth is less dense. Be honest with yourself though: this is filler between bigger attractions like Bowood House or days out in Chippenham town itself, not worth a special trip from anywhere else.