Jack's Wood

A patch of proper woodland just outside Mells, Jack's Wood is the sort of place you'll either love for its quietness or find a bit underwhelming depending on what you're after. It's genuine forest rather than manicured parkland - decent-sized trees, leaf litter underfoot, the occasional muddy patch. You can walk through it, which most people do in anything from twenty minutes to an hour depending on the route you take and how often you stop to look at things.

The appeal here is straightforward: it's local, it's free, and it gets you away from the village without needing to drive anywhere. Families with young kids will find enough space to let them run about, and dog walkers clearly rate it (you'll see evidence of this). If you're after proper views or dramatic scenery, you'll be disappointed. It's not that kind of woodland.

Worth the time if you're staying in the area - particularly if you've booked Glamping on the Hill just down the road - but don't expect it to be the highlight of your trip. On a decent day it's pleasant enough for a morning walk, especially if the weather's turned and you need to burn off some energy without traveling far. Go early if you want it to yourself. The ground can be boggy after rain, so proper footwear matters.