Long Furlong

A proper walk through decent woodland sits just outside Cirencester - Long Furlong is one of those forests you stumble upon rather than plan for. It's not dramatic or vast, but it's the kind of place where you can actually breathe without fighting through crowds of Instagram hunters.

The woodland itself is mixed broadleaf and conifer, with paths that wind through reasonably varied terrain. You're looking at a good couple of hours if you take your time, maybe less if you're just after a quick leg-stretch. The ground can be boggy in places - proper waterlogged after rain - so wellies are worth considering rather than trainers. On a clear day the light filters through nicely, and it's quiet enough that you'll actually notice birdsong.

This works well for family walks where the kids still need entertainment but you've had enough of stately homes and gift shops. Older children who can manage uneven ground will get more from it than toddlers. Solo walkers seem to prefer it - there's something about a small wood that suits a solo ramble better than a vast country estate.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Mayfield Park, Cirencester's caravan club site, or Hoburne Cotswold up the road - Long Furlong makes a decent afternoon escape without needing to drive far. It's free to access, though details on facilities are thin on the ground. Best visited in autumn or spring when the undergrowth isn't a soaking mess and the midges haven't arrived. Nothing flashy, but genuinely pleasant if you like your nature undressed.