Meadow Wood

Walk far enough into Meadow Wood and you'll forget Warwick is just down the road. This is proper woodland - the kind with decent paths that don't turn into muddy quagmires the moment it rains, and enough mature trees to make you feel genuinely remote even when you're barely four miles from town.

It's a straightforward forest, nothing theatrical about it. You get woodland walks, bird spotting if you're patient, and the occasional clearing that feels secret enough. The canopy here is thick enough that it stays cool even on the warmer days, which matters more than you'd think in summer. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you want to properly explore rather than just loop round the perimeter.

Best suited to walkers and anyone after some proper quiet. Kids will enjoy it for an hour or so - plenty of sticks to find and trees to clamber about - though it's not a playground and that's rather the point. If you're the type who needs sculptures or visitor centres, look elsewhere.

Free access appears to be the way of it, though there's no certainty on official opening hours. Early morning or late afternoon works best for avoiding crowds and catching the light properly through the trees.

Staying at Green Gates or The Apple Farm puts you within spitting distance, making Meadow Wood a convenient morning walk before heading into Stratford-upon-Avon or exploring the wider Warwickshire circuit. It's the kind of place you'd slot in rather than plan around, but that's not a criticism.