Park Covert - National Trust

You'll find yourself walking through proper woodland the moment you arrive at Park Covert - it's the kind of place where the canopy is thick enough that you forget about the weather entirely. This National Trust reserve near Crewkerne is a working nature reserve rather than a manicured visitor attraction, which means it feels genuinely wild and unspoilt.

The reserve itself spreads across woodland and open ground, home to all manner of birds, insects, and small mammals. Depending on the season, you might catch sight of woodland birds or spot evidence of deer moving through the undergrowth. There are walking trails threading through the site, though they're not formally marked like some National Trust properties - bring decent shoes and don't expect waymarked paths.

This works best for serious nature types and keen birdwatchers rather than families wanting a quick afternoon out. One hour might do it if you're just after a stroll, but you could easily spend two or three hours if you're genuinely interested in what's living here. It's free to visit, which is a decent bonus.

If you're based at Swallowfield Glamping or Thorney Lakes Caravan & Camping Park nearby, Park Covert makes a proper change of pace from the usual holiday park attractions - a genuine bit of conservation work rather than a visitor experience. It's honest and unpretentious, which is exactly what it should be.