Thompson's Covert

A proper woodland walk rather than a manicured tourist trap, Thompson's Covert sits just outside Taunton and delivers exactly what you want from a Somerset forest - dense trees, decent paths, and room to breathe without queuing. The covert itself is ancient woodland, the kind where you can actually lose the noise of the town within five minutes of entering.

Walkers will find this genuinely useful. There's enough here for a solid hour-long loop, though most people push through in forty minutes if they keep moving. The canopy's thick enough to make it worth visiting even in drizzle - rain barely touches you under the beech and oak. Kids either love it or get bored after twenty minutes depending on temperament; it's not dramatically scenic, just reliable green space with proper paths.

The nearest parking is straightforward enough from Taunton town centre, though specifics can shift. Go early on weekends if you value quiet. Late afternoon light filtering through the canopy is when it earns its reputation, to be honest.

If you're based at Cornish Farm Touring Park just a few miles away, this makes a natural half-day circuit when the weather's cooperative. It's the sort of place locals actually use rather than visitors grinding through their checklist, which tells you something. Not Instagram-worthy, but absolutely worth your time.