Somerton Wood

The woodland paths through Somerton Wood feel properly remote despite being barely ten minutes from Glastonbury. You're walking through what's essentially old Somerset countryside - mixed deciduous trees, decent undergrowth, and the kind of quiet you don't often find near town. There's no fancy visitor centre or marked trails that I could see, which is either brilliant or frustrating depending on how you feel about navigation by instinct.

The wood works best as a half-day venture from Glastonbury itself - enough of a detour to feel like proper walking, but not so far that you've wasted the afternoon if the weather turns. Families with younger kids might find an hour or so here pleasant enough, though it's not the sort of place with a playground or facilities. Proper walkers and anyone after a bit of forest solitude will get more from it than casual visitors.

If you're based at Long Hazel Park just down the road, this sits nicely within striking distance of the wider area. The Levels surrounding Glastonbury offer plenty of walking options, so Somerton Wood is better treated as part of a longer day out rather than a destination in itself. Go in spring when the light filters through the new leaves, not in deep winter when the paths get sodden and miserable. Free access, no charges that I'm aware of - just turn up and walk.