Stuchbury Fox Covert

Walk into Stuchbury Fox Covert and you're into proper woodland - the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think. It's a forest reserve just outside Banbury, Northamptonshire, sitting in that lovely rolling countryside between the Cotswolds and the Midlands. The trees are dense enough to feel remote, even though you're never far from civilisation.

This is ideal territory for anyone who wants a proper woodland walk without the tourist crowds. Families with older kids will do well here - there's enough space to let them run about, and the mix of mature trees and undergrowth means there's always something to spot if you're into wildlife or birds. Serious walkers appreciate it too. The paths wind through ancient woodland and the ground is generally good underfoot, though it can get boggy after rain.

There's no visitor centre or café, so it's very much a bring-your-own-adventure situation. Free access, which is always welcome. Allow an hour to ninety minutes for a decent explore, depending on your pace. Early morning or late afternoon gives you the best light and the quietest experience.

If you're based at Glamping Thorpe or Jubilee Barn nearby, this makes for a cracking morning out before heading somewhere more structured for lunch. It's the sort of place that fills the gaps between the bigger attractions - not a destination in itself, but absolutely worth the detour if you're in the area.