Pool Wood

A proper woodland walk just outside Oswestry, Pool Wood is the kind of place you stumble upon rather than plan for - which is exactly why it works. The forest floor is thick with moss and leaf litter, the canopy dense enough that even on bright days it feels like you're walking through dappled green. There's a small pool at the heart of it, which gives the place its name, though it's less dramatic than you might imagine - more of a still pond surrounded by old trees than a scenic focal point.

Walkers get the most from this one. It's not a destination in itself, but rather a solid hour's ramble if you fancy stretching your legs between Oswestry and the Welsh border. Families with young kids might find it a bit samey after thirty minutes - there's no playground, no café, just woodland. The paths are fairly easy going though, so it's accessible for most abilities.

It's free to visit and there are no opening hours to worry about. If you're based at one of the nearby caravan sites - Cranberry Moss is closest at under five miles away - it makes a decent morning jaunt. Pair it with a visit to Oswestry town centre if you want to make a proper day of it. Go when the light's low and sideways, either early morning or late afternoon. Winter's actually better than summer here, when the wet undergrowth smells alive and the lack of leaves opens up sight lines you don't get in high season.