Lizard Hill

There's something about Lizard Hill that makes you want to wander deeper into the woodland rather than turn back. It's a proper forest sprawl just outside Shifnal, the kind of place where ancient trees tower above and the ground stays damp even weeks after rain.

The woodland itself is the main draw - miles of paths threading through dense cover, with the occasional clearing where light floods through the canopy. You'll spot oak and birch mostly, with plenty of undergrowth that changes character depending on the season. Spring brings bluebells; autumn is all golden leaves and mushrooms. It's honest woodland walking, nothing sanitised about it.

This works brilliantly for serious walkers who want proper forest terrain without dramatic elevation changes. Families with older kids will find it engaging too, though younger ones might tire before completing a full loop - allow two to three hours depending on which routes you take. The ground can be boggy in places, so decent boots matter.

Best visited autumn through spring when the forest floor is firm and you won't melt. Summer gets muggy and the flies can be relentless.

If you're based at Ted's Farm or Worfe Camping nearby, Lizard Hill makes an excellent half-day excursion that doesn't require driving miles. It's the sort of place that rewards a slow pace - stop and listen to the birds, notice what's growing on the fallen logs. Real woodland, nothing more, nothing less.