Horse's Wood

Walk into Horse's Wood and you're immediately swallowed by dense woodland that feels properly remote, despite being just outside Crewkerne. The forest floor is thick with leaf litter and moss, the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think. Trails wind through established trees - oak, beech, and conifers - creating a canopy that keeps things cool even on warm days.

It's ideal for families who want a proper woodland walk without needing to plan military logistics. Kids will find plenty to explore - fallen logs to clamber over, streams to paddle in if you're lucky, and the satisfying crunch of leaves underfoot. You're looking at a good hour or two depending on which routes you take, though there's nothing particularly strenuous about it. The wood rewards a slow pace rather than rushing through.

Historically these Somerset woods were working forests, and you can still sense that working landscape rather than it feeling like a manicured park space. There's a rawness to it that appeals to walkers who've tired of the polished attractions.

If you're based at Esme's Escape or Swallowfield just down the road, this is your local 15-minute drive spot - perfect for stretching your legs between days exploring the wider Somerset countryside. Free to wander, no visitor centre nonsense. Just bring sensible boots and expect mud after rain.