Lower Wyndcliff Wood

The woodland path up through Lower Wyndcliff Wood climbs steeply from the Chepstow side, and within ten minutes you're properly immersed in old beech and oak rather than screaming past it in a car. The views out over the Wye Valley appear suddenly between the trees - that's the payoff. It's the sort of walk where you actually have to think about your footing on the root-tangled ground, which means kids stay focused and adults stop checking their phones.

This is one for people who like their nature with a bit of effort attached. The woodland itself is thick and atmospheric without being gloomy, and there's something satisfying about walking through managed forest rather than a manicured park. Allow a good hour if you're doing the proper loop, though you can bail out earlier if legs are flagging.

Families with capable walkers will get the most from it. Toddlers will struggle on the uneven ground, and anyone after a gentle stroll should probably head to the valley floor instead. Historians might appreciate the old earthworks tucked into the slopes - evidence of Iron Age settlement if you know what you're looking at.

It's free, obviously, and accessible from Chepstow without faffing about with car parks. Pair it with a stay at Penhein Glamping five miles away if you want something with a bit of comfort attached to your walking. Go early to avoid the weekend crush, and bring proper boots rather than trainers.