Hydes Brake

You'll find yourself walking into proper woodland the moment you step into Hydes Brake - all towering beeches and dense undergrowth that cuts out most of the sky. It's a decent stretch of forest near Malmesbury, the kind of place where you can actually lose an hour without realising. The paths wind through, though they're not always obvious, so bring decent boots if you've had recent rain.

This works best for walkers and anyone after a quiet woodland wander rather than a major attraction. Kids will enjoy the general rambling about if they're the exploring type, but there's no playground or visitor centre - it's just trees and earth. The forest has that damp, mushroomy smell you get in old English woodlands, and it's genuinely peaceful compared to what you'd expect just outside Malmesbury.

There's no entrance fee or formal opening hours that we can find, which is rather lovely - rock up whenever suits you. Allow an hour minimum if you want to actually see it properly rather than just poking about for fifteen minutes. It pairs nicely with a stay at one of the nearby parks: Malmesbury Glamping at Whychurch Farm is just two miles away, as is Burton Hill Caravan & Camping Park. Either would make a solid base for a Wiltshire break.

Worth a visit if you're already in the area and fancy stretching your legs through some decent woodland. Not worth driving hours out of your way for, mind you.