Pickrudge

Pickrudge is a proper working forest just outside Marlborough, and it's the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. Dense woodland with well-trodden paths running through it - not manicured or tourist-ready, but genuine forest floor stuff with proper shade and the kind of quiet you don't get near towns.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of. What you get is space to walk, to breathe, to let kids burn energy without worrying they'll wander onto a road. The paths vary from straightforward tracks to rougher routes that require a bit of scrambling - nothing technical, just real forest.

This works best for families who want to get outdoors without the faffing about of major attractions, or walkers heading between Marlborough and points along the Ridgeway. If you're camping at Ridgeway Campsite or Hillview Park just up the road, you could easily knock out an hour here as part of a morning's exploring. It's free and open whenever - that sort of place.

Honestly? It's not a destination on its own. But if you're based at one of the nearby campsites and want woodland air without driving anywhere, Pickrudge does the job. Bring proper footwear - the ground gets boggy in wet weather. Kids under five might find the distances dull, but anything older will enjoy the freedom of it.