The Wilderness

Walking into The Wilderness near Hungerford, you're immediately struck by how dense the woodland is. It's properly dark in there, even on a sunny day, with centuries-old trees blocking out most of the sky. The paths wind through beech and oak, and you feel genuinely removed from the Berkshire countryside just minutes away.

This is a straightforward woodland walk rather than a manicured attraction with facilities. There's no café, no visitor centre, no admission charge as far as anyone can tell. You just turn up and get on with it. That's either brilliant or disappointing depending on what you wanted from your day. Serious walkers and woodland enthusiasts will love it. Kids keen on spotting wildlife and climbing things will find plenty to do. If you're after a quick twenty-minute stroll with a gift shop at the end, this isn't your spot.

The real draw is the ancient woodland itself. The paths are well-maintained enough that you won't need serious hiking boots, but allow a couple of hours to explore properly without rushing. Go in autumn when the light filters through the canopy differently, or early spring before the undergrowth gets too thick.

If you're staying at Lorne Hill Farm just down the road, The Wilderness makes a proper morning or afternoon excursion. It pairs well with a wander around Hungerford itself afterwards - the high street has decent pubs for lunch. The woodland's close enough that you won't waste half your day on the drive, but far enough into the trees that you'll feel like you've actually gone somewhere.