Sawyer's Wood

Ancient oak and beech trees tower overhead at Sawyer's Wood, a proper slice of old Hampshire woodland just outside Waterlooville. You're walking through the sort of forest that feels genuinely untouched - dappled light, leaf mould underfoot, the occasional flash of a jay among the canopy. There are trails winding through, nothing too strenuous, which makes it ideal for families who want their kids to actually enjoy a walk rather than complain the whole way.

The woodland works best as a half-morning activity before heading to one of the nearby caravan parks - Rookesbury Park or ScottsHaven are both within striking distance. If you're glamping at Wallops Wood, this is close enough for an early stroll. Allow an hour to properly wander without rushing, longer if you've got small legs in the group.

Walkers will appreciate the quietness here. There's no visitor centre, no interpretation boards, just woodland doing what it does. That's either refreshing or disappointing depending on your mood - you won't learn the ecology from signage, but you will get genuine forest atmosphere without the crowds. Spring brings bluebells in patches; autumn turns the floor into a carpet of gold and copper.

Bring decent boots if it's been wet. The paths can get boggy, and there's nothing worse than squelching back to the car park in soggy trainers. It's free to walk in, which helps when you're already paying for a caravan pitch nearby.