King's Castle Wood

Walk into King's Castle Wood and you're immediately swallowed by proper old-growth woodland just outside Wells. The canopy is thick enough that even on a bright day it feels twilight in there, and the floor is soft with decades of leaf mould. There are proper trails threading through - nothing too demanding, just straightforward woodland walking with occasional glimpses of clearings where the light floods in.

It's the sort of place where walkers with dogs absolutely thrive. You can let them off lead without much worry, and the quiet makes it brilliant for anyone who finds busy tourist attractions exhausting. The woodland itself is unremarkable in the best way - no ancient monuments or dramatic vistas, just trees doing what trees do. Kids will get a solid hour out of it before asking what's next, which is precisely what you want from a woodland walk.

The whole thing works perfectly as a leg-stretch between staying at Wells Touring Park or Cathedral View Glamping, both within easy reach. Pop out for a morning wander, clear your head, then head into Wells town centre for lunch. Free to access and open whenever you fancy turning up - there's no nonsense about gates or booking. Allow 45 minutes to an hour depending on how many times your dog decides to investigate a promising smell. Not Instagram-worthy, but genuinely pleasant.