Lythe Copse

A proper woodland walk rather than a managed attraction, Lythe Copse sits just outside Petersfield and feels like the sort of place locals know about but tourists miss entirely. The forest is dense in places, with tall beeches and oaks creating that cathedral-like quiet you only get in old woodland. There's no visitor centre, no car park with an ice cream van, no interpretive boards telling you what you're looking at. You just turn up and walk.

The main appeal is straightforward: woodland paths that don't require anything more strenuous than a decent pair of boots. It's the kind of spot where you can spend an hour wandering without seeing another person, which sounds peaceful until you realise there's a reason for the quiet - navigation isn't obvious and the paths aren't always well marked. Take a map. That said, families with older children who don't need constant entertainment will find it genuinely rewarding. Younger kids might lose interest quickly once they've spotted their first fallen log.

If you're staying at Cedar Valley, just three miles away, Lythe Copse makes a sensible morning detour before heading into Petersfield proper for lunch. It's free, naturally, and you can do it in 45 minutes to an hour depending on how much exploring you fancy. Best in autumn when the canopy colours up - summer gets a bit oppressive with the shade and damp ground. Go early to avoid the school run crowd and to have a genuine shot at solitude.