Little Hall

A modest woodland walk just outside Hungerford, Little Hall is the kind of place that rewards a quiet afternoon rather than demanding a full morning's commitment. The forest floor is well-trodden, with enough paths threading through the trees to keep things interesting without getting properly lost.

You're looking at native woodland - mostly oak and beech - with the sort of undergrowth that changes seasonally. Spring brings bluebells if you time it right. Summer is green and thick. Autumn, frankly, is when it shines. The light filters through at that particular angle that makes photographers lose their minds, and the ground crunches satisfyingly underfoot.

It's proper walker territory, though not demanding. Allow 45 minutes to an hour if you're ambling, less if you're on a mission. No facilities to speak of, so bring water and don't expect tea shops. The woodland isn't rare or spectacular - you won't see anything you couldn't find in a dozen other Berkshire corners - but it's accessible and unpretentious. Families with young walkers get more out of it than hardcore hikers chasing peaks.

If you're based at Lorne Hill Farm, which is barely 4 miles away, Little Hall makes a decent morning break between proper activities. It fills the time pleasantly without overshadowing the main event. The honest truth? It's not a destination in itself, but it's perfectly decent filler for a park holiday when the weather's reasonable and you fancy something low-key.