Lark Wood

Walk into Lark Wood and the noise of Cheltenham melts away almost instantly. It's a proper woodland - dense enough to feel like you've actually gone somewhere, but close enough to the town that you can visit without burning half a day on travel.

The paths wind through beech and oak, and there's enough dappled shade to make it genuinely pleasant even on warmer days. You'll find the usual woodland creatures if you're lucky - birds mostly, the odd deer if you're quiet - and the floor is soft with leaf matter, which is nice on the knees. It's not dramatic or vast, but it's the kind of place where you remember why you wanted to escape the car in the first place.

Walkers will get the most from Lark Wood, particularly those doing the loops through the Cotswolds who need a quick green lung between longer hikes. Families with young kids will manage fine for an hour or so, though there's nothing here to hold attention for a full afternoon - no waterfall, no adventure playground, no visitor centre. If you're staying at Bourton-on-the-Water Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just 3.2 miles away, this is a natural morning walk before heading into the village proper. Cotswolds Meadow Glamping is a bit further out at 5.2 miles, but still within easy reach.

Go early if you can - it's less crowded, and the light's better. Free entry, naturally. Allow 45 minutes to an hour unless you're the type who stops to identify every plant species.