Kembleview Plantation

Kembleview Plantation is a proper woodland walk just outside Cirencester, the sort of place where you can lose an afternoon without meaning to. It's a mixed forest - nothing dramatic, but genuinely pleasant if you're after some green space between market town wandering and caravan life.

The appeal is straightforward: trees, paths, and enough cover to make it worth doing even when the Cotswold weather turns damp. You'll find yourself on decent walking trails that don't require map-reading skills or fell-running fitness. It's the kind of place families with younger kids can manage without complaints, though teenagers might find it a bit tame unless they're actually interested in spotting wildlife.

Allow a couple of hours if you're not rushing. Bring decent shoes - the paths can get muddy after rain, and there's not much point pretending Gloucestershire dries out quickly. Free to access, which is always a bonus.

It works well as a filler activity when you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks. Cirencester Park Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite is barely a mile away, making this an easy morning venture. If you're at Hoburne Cotswold further out, it's worth the short drive. The woodland won't replace the bigger attractions in the area - Symonds Yat or Forest of Dean are both grander - but if you want a proper walk that doesn't involve crowds or planning, this delivers. Best in spring or autumn when the light filters through properly.