Medbridge Covert

The woodland around Medbridge Covert, just outside Longney, is the sort of place you'll stumble upon rather than plan for - and that's precisely what makes it worth the detour. It's proper forest walking territory, with decent paths threading through mature trees and the kind of quiet you don't get near towns. The canopy does its job well, which means it's brilliant on hot days and tolerable when it's drizzling.

You're looking at anything from a gentle 20-minute amble to a couple of hours of proper woodland exploration depending on how far you fancy going. The ground can be muddy after rain, so wellies aren't a bad shout. It's free to access, which is refreshing, and there's no faffing about with visitor centres or entry fees.

Families with kids who aren't glued to screens will get miles out of this - let them loose to spot wildlife and clamber over fallen logs. Serious walkers might find it a bit compact for a full day's hike, but it works nicely as part of a wider ramble. History types won't find much to grab onto here, so save your energy for Gloucester's cathedral instead.

If you're based at one of the nearby campsites - Apple Orchard or Baldwin's Brook are closest - Medbridge Covert makes an easy morning or afternoon sortie. It's the kind of place that justifies the drive without demanding half your day. Go when the light's good through the trees, ideally late afternoon.