Stockley Inclosure

The forest floor here is properly dense - ancient oaks and conifers create a canopy so thick you'll forget what time of day it is. Stockley Inclosure is one of those working New Forest patches that doesn't announce itself loudly, which is exactly why it's worth seeking out from Brockenhurst.

You're walking through woodland that's been managed for centuries, and it shows. The mix of tree types means light filters through in patches, picking out the ferns and moss below. It's less about dramatic vistas and more about the quiet satisfaction of being surrounded by proper forest - the kind where you might spot deer or hear nothing but your own footsteps.

This suits walkers far more than families with restless toddlers. You need to enjoy the act of walking itself rather than expecting a destination with a café and play area. Allow a couple of hours if you're making a proper loop of it. It's free to access, which is standard for New Forest exploring.

As part of a broader New Forest National Park holiday - and it sits just 4.3 miles from the park itself - this works brilliantly for filling a morning or afternoon between visits to more famous spots. Brockenhurst makes a sensible base, and there are several campsites within striking distance: Hollands Wood is barely 2.5 miles away, Black Knowl only 3.4. Come in autumn when the light through the trees is at its best. Spring works too if you don't mind muddy paths.