Massey Wood

Massey Wood is a proper woodland walk just outside Gloucester - the kind of place where you can actually get lost in the trees without needing a sat nav to find the car park. It's genuine woodland, not a manicured forest trail, so expect mud, roots, and the occasional moment of wondering if you're on the right path. But that's rather the point.

The trees are tall enough to make you feel like you've left the Midlands behind entirely. There's no visitor centre, no gift shop, no café - it's just woodland as it should be. Walkers will find proper value here; you can easily spend two to three hours threading through the paths without seeing another soul. Families with older kids who don't mind a bit of uneven terrain will do well. Young toddlers might struggle with the rougher ground, though.

It's free to access and open whenever you fancy - bring a torch if you're going in winter as the canopy gets dense. Allow a good two hours minimum if you want to actually explore rather than just dash through.

If you're based at one of the caravan parks nearby - Dawleys or Millavon are closest at just over two miles - it's an excellent half-day walk that breaks up the holiday routine. Tewkesbury Abbey Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite is only 2.5 miles away if you're after a proper base. Pair it with a potter around Gloucester itself and you've got a solid day sorted.