Northerwood Park

The moment you step into Northerwood Park, you're swallowed by proper New Forest woodland. This is a proper nature reserve - ancient trees, open glades where the light filters through in slanting beams, and paths that feel like they've been there for centuries. You'll see ponies wandering freely, red squirrels if you're lucky, and enough birds to keep any twitcher occupied for hours.

It's a serious walker's spot rather than somewhere to amble for twenty minutes. Bring decent shoes - the ground's boggy in places even after dry weather - and allow at least two hours to do it justice. Families with young kids might find it underwhelming unless they're the type keen on spotting wildlife and mucking about in streams. Older children who can manage a proper woodland walk will find it genuinely brilliant.

Free to enter, which is the best part. No visitor centre, no ice cream van, no crowds. That's exactly why it works. The closest town is Brockenhurst - a solid base for exploring the Forest - and if you're camping at Longbeech Campsite just down the road, this becomes your local. Combine it with the other woodland walks in the area and you've got a proper Forest holiday worth taking seriously.