Park Redding Wood

The woodland floor at Park Redding Wood is soft underfoot, which tells you straight away this is proper ancient forest. You're looking at mixed broadleaves - oak, ash, beech - the kind of trees that have been here for centuries. Just outside Chepstow, it's become something of a local secret, though it's starting to get busier.

What you're actually doing is walking through what feels like the Welsh countryside's quiet backbone. There are established paths that meander through decent-sized stands of timber, and if you time it right - spring when the woodland floor erupts with bluebells, or autumn when the canopy turns - you'll understand why people bother. The light filters through in that particular way that makes you remember why you like forests in the first place.

It works best for anyone who appreciates a straightforward woodland walk without the crowds you'd get at more famous spots. Families with older kids will find it decent enough; younger ones might get restless after an hour or so unless they're the type to hunt for sticks and insects. There's no visitor centre nonsense, no café - just trees and paths.

If you're staying at Penhein Glamping, only a few miles away, this makes a solid morning's outing before lunch. The walking's easy enough that it won't knacker you out before checking out nearby Chepstow's castle and high street. Allow two hours if you want to move properly and actually look around rather than just march through.