Nightingale Woods

The woodland paths here wind through a proper stand of mature trees, with clearings that open up just when the walking gets a bit monotonous. Nightingale Woods is straightforward stuff - a picnic site in Oxfordshire where you can park up, spread a blanket, and actually hear birdsong instead of the M4. It's the kind of place that appeals most to families wanting a gentle woodland walk and a sandwich, or walkers breaking up a longer route through the Cotswold fringes.

What you get is a few miles of decent woodland walking, nothing technical, and the sort of quiet that feels genuinely rare this close to the commuter belt. Bring a packed lunch because there's no facilities to speak of - that's the whole point, really. A couple of hours is enough unless you're the type who likes to sit under trees for ages watching the light shift through the leaves. Early summer when the woodland flowers are out is nicer than deep winter, though it's never unpleasant.

If you're staying at Nordic Glamping at Botswicky just three miles away, you could easily make this a morning outing before heading back for a proper brunch. It's also close enough to Faringdon Grange if you want to combine it with other activities in the area. The woodland doesn't pretend to be anything grander than a pleasant local wood, which is exactly why it works. No queues, no crowds, no ticket booth - just trees and a path.