New Plantation

Walking through New Plantation feels like stepping into someone's carefully tended garden - except the garden happens to be several hundred acres of Worcestershire woodland. It's a proper forest rather than a manicured park, with mature trees creating decent shade and enough space to lose yourself for an afternoon without actually getting lost.

The trees are the main event here. You'll find yourself among oak, beech and conifers depending on which path you take, and there's genuine quiet to be had - rare enough near Worcester that it's worth noting. The forest floor changes with the seasons; spring brings bluebells in reasonable numbers, autumn turns everything to rust and gold. There are paths at various levels of muddiness, so come prepared if there's been rain.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's the kind of place to spend two to three hours without rushing, either solo or with a group. Families with younger kids might find an hour sufficient unless they're seriously into climbing on fallen logs and building dens. There's no cafe, playground or facilities to speak of, so bring what you need.

Free to access as far as I can tell, with no obvious gatekeeping. It sits roughly three miles from Worcester town centre, putting it within easy reach of the caravan parks scattered around - Mill House Caravan Site and Ketch are particularly close. Use it as a leg-stretcher during a longer Worcestershire holiday rather than a destination in itself, and you'll leave properly satisfied.