Round Copse

The beech and oak woodland here sits just outside Petersfield, quiet enough that you'll actually hear birdsong instead of traffic. Round Copse is a proper working forest rather than a manicured country park, which means it's got character - proper uneven ground, fallen logs you have to step over, the smell of damp earth and leaf mould.

Walking through it takes maybe 30-40 minutes depending on which path you fancy. The canopy's dense enough to keep things cool even on warm days, and there's something about older woodland that feels genuinely peaceful. Family groups with kids of walking age will get on fine here; toddlers might find the uneven terrain a bit much. This isn't a destination where you'll spend half a day - it's a cracking spot for an hour's leg-stretch if you're based nearby.

Cedar Valley, just 4.4 miles away, would suit families wanting a proper caravan base for exploring this corner of Hampshire. Woodlands Camping's slightly further out at 6.2 miles but has good reviews, as does Bow Hill Farm over the West Sussex border. From any of those sites, Round Copse makes a sensible morning walk before heading off to bigger attractions.

Admission appears to be free, which is the only way it should be. Go in autumn if you can - the colour drop is worth the trek, and fewer people means you might actually see some wildlife.