Manor Copse

A proper woodland walk awaits at Manor Copse, just outside Stockbridge in Hampshire. This is ancient forest - the kind where you can almost hear centuries of footsteps on the leaf litter. Beech and oak dominate, with dense undergrowth that makes you feel genuinely removed from the world despite being minutes from civilisation.

It's the sort of place where families with older kids thrive. Younger ones might struggle with muddy paths and the lack of facilities, but anyone aged eight upwards will find something to engage them - fallen logs to balance on, tracks to follow, the occasional surprise of a pheasant crashing through the canopy. Walkers absolutely belong here. The woodland is threaded with decent trails that meander through the trees without demanding anything dramatic in terms of elevation.

You're looking at a good two hours minimum to properly explore without rushing. The ground gets squelchy after rain, so boots matter. There's no visitor centre or café, which is either the whole appeal or a minor inconvenience depending on your stance.

Stay at The Meadow Glamping or Stockbridge View and you've got an easy base for woodland rambles without the pretension. Manor Copse won't blow your mind with grandstand views or rare species announcements, but it's honest woodland in a county that doesn't have quite enough of it. Go when the light filters through the leaves at low angles - early morning or late afternoon - and you'll get it.