Smokesacre Covert

Walking into Smokesacre Covert is like stepping into proper woodland - dense trees, dappled light filtering through the canopy, the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think. This forest sits just outside Worcester and makes for a straightforward woodland ramble if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks like Croft Farm Water Park or Cotswold Grange Country Park.

It's a genuine working woodland rather than a manicured nature reserve, which means the paths aren't always pristine but they're navigable enough. You'll find yourself moving through mixed deciduous trees with that satisfying forest floor underfoot - leaves, moss, the lot. The whole experience takes maybe an hour or so, depending on how deep you venture in and whether you stop to watch the wildlife. It's the kind of place where you might spot deer if you're quiet, though honestly I've seen more songbirds than anything else on a visit.

For families with younger kids it works well because you're not dealing with exposed edges or serious scrambles - just a good solid woodland walk. Older children who like a bit of independence and exploration will get more from it than toddlers who need constant entertainment. History types won't find much here, and it's not a destination in itself, but as an add-on to a holiday based out of Worcester it absolutely makes sense. Free to access and no real time constraints, so you can slot it in between other activities without faffing about with opening hours or admission fees.