Scotland

Scotland Forest is one of those easy-to-miss woodlands that locals in Henley-on-Thames know and tourists walk straight past. It's a proper beech and oak affair, the kind of place where the canopy gets so thick in summer that you'd swear it was twilight at noon.

The main appeal here is straightforward: a decent walk through mixed woodland without the crowds you'd get at bigger attractions. Paths wind through at a reasonable pace, manageable for families with older kids, though pushchairs would struggle on the rougher sections. The forest floor gets boggy after rain, so boots are worth bringing. You could easily spend two hours here without rushing, or knock it over in forty minutes if you're just after some fresh air and leg-stretching.

There's nothing fancy to it - no visitor centre, no facilities that I could find, so come prepared. Best visited in autumn when the beech trees turn proper golden, though even in summer the shade and cool air make it lovely when everywhere else is baking. Winter's quiet too, with fewer people about.

If you're staying at The Chilterns View or Ridgeway View Campsite - both excellent bases - Scotland Forest makes a good morning jaunt before heading into Henley for lunch. It's free and doesn't demand advance notice, which is refreshing. Not a destination in itself, but exactly what you want when you're after a proper forest walk without the tourist machinery.