Sladebank Woods

The woodland floor at Sladebank Woods is properly carpeted with bluebells come spring - a proper show that makes the steep climb through the Stroud valley entirely worth it. This nature reserve sits on the edge of the Cotswolds, a compact but dense pocket of ancient woodland that feels worlds away from the market town of Stroud just down the road.

It's woodland walking at its best, not some manicured country estate. The paths wind through mixed broadleaf forest - oak, beech, hazel - with streams running through the gullies if you venture off the main tracks. You'll spot woodland birds, the odd deer if you're quiet enough, and in summer the whole place hums with insect life. The reserve is managed for wildlife first, which means it's all the better for walkers who actually want to encounter something real.

Give it an hour minimum, two if you're the type who stops to look at things. The walks aren't arduous but they do climb - good legs weather. Free to access, which is standard for Gloucestershire nature reserves. Spring and early summer are magical, but autumn colours draw a crowd if you're lucky with the weather.

If you're based at Tobacconist Farm Campsite just 3 miles away, this is an excellent leg-stretcher between lazing around the site. Apple Tree Park is further out, but still within range for a morning walk before moving on elsewhere in the valley. The reserve slots nicely into a Cotswolds walking holiday without demanding your whole day.