Rudge Wood

A proper woodland walk through ancient trees, Rudge Wood sits just outside Wotton-under-Edge and offers exactly what you'd want from a Gloucestershire forest - decent paths, plenty of shade, and the kind of quiet that makes you remember why you left the car behind. The wood itself isn't vast, but it's well-maintained enough that you won't spend the whole time picking your way through brambles, and the canopy's thick enough in summer to keep things cool.

Walkers will get the most from it. It's the sort of place where forty minutes to an hour does the job nicely - long enough to feel like proper exercise, short enough that you're not trudging for half the day. Families with younger kids might find it a bit limited unless you're just after a gentle stroll; there's not much in the way of novelty to keep them entertained beyond climbing over logs and spotting the odd bird. Serious hikers will probably pass through en route to somewhere bigger.

The wood works well as a morning or late-afternoon break if you're staying at Wixoldbury Farm Glamping or Pepper Pot Caravan Park nearby. It's close enough to Wotton-under-Edge to pop into town for lunch afterwards, which beats eating packed sandwiches in the car. Go during weekday mornings if you want the place to yourself - weekends pull a fair few locals, which is fair enough, but it does take the edge off the solitude.

No entry fee that we can find, and no visitor centre or facilities, so bring water and sensible shoes.