Poison Meadow

The name's enough to make you pause - Poison Meadow sounds like the sort of place you'd stumble across in a gothic novel, not a forest walk near Cheltenham. But that's precisely what makes it worth seeking out. This woodland sits a few miles south of town and offers proper peace and quiet, the kind where you can actually hear yourself think.

It's straightforward woodland walking country. The paths wind through mature trees, dappled light doing its thing through the canopy, and if you time it right the bluebells are genuinely spectacular. The meadow itself opens up partway through - hence the name, though the 'poison' bit remains charmingly mysterious. Locals reckon it could be down to old folklore or particular plants that once grew here, but nobody seems entirely sure, which frankly adds to the charm.

This is ideal if you've pitched up at Bourton-on-the-Water Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just over a mile away. An hour's walk works nicely, though you could easily spend a couple of hours if you're not rushing. Walkers will get the most from it - it's not dramatic, but it's genuine woodland with proper quiet. Families with young kids might find it a bit samey after forty minutes, but teenagers who aren't glued to their phones will appreciate it.

There's no visitor centre or facilities that I could find, so bring water. Free access appears standard for the area's woodland. Best visited spring through autumn when the paths aren't boggy.