Plantation

The forest at Plantation is one of those walks that creeps up on you - you're wandering through what feels like any other woodland, then suddenly the trees open up and you realise you're standing in something properly special. It's a working forest on the Isle of Wight, just above Ventnor, where the paths wind through dense conifers and you get proper glimpses of the coast between the branches.

The walk itself is straightforward enough for families, though younger kids might find the length a bit tedious if they're not keen on trees. It's the kind of place where you've got to be into walking to get the most from it - there's no visitor centre, no café, none of that. Just woodland, fresh air, and if you time it right, some decent views down towards the Channel.

Free to access, which is always welcome. Allow a couple of hours if you're doing the main loop properly, longer if you're stopping to admire things. Best visited in spring when the undergrowth isn't too thick, or autumn when the light filters through properly.

If you're staying at Grange Farm Camping and Cottages - just a short drive away - this makes an easy addition to a park-based holiday. It's close enough for a morning or afternoon outing without eating up half your day. The walk alone won't justify a trip to Ventnor, but paired with the town's attractions and coastal walks, it rounds out a proper few days nicely.