Trimpley Green

You'll find yourself under proper old oak and beech once you head into Trimpley Green, just outside Bewdley. It's the kind of woodland walk that doesn't announce itself loudly, but that's partly why it works. The forest floor is thick with leaf litter, and there's genuine quiet here - the sort that makes you realise how little of it you get back home.

It's a straightforward walk rather than a scramble or a serious hike. Families with kids who can manage uneven ground will get a good hour out of it, though younger ones might start flagging after forty minutes. The trees are mature and tall enough to feel like proper forest, not just a park wood. You won't find dedicated play areas or visitor facilities, so don't expect tea and cake when you're done.

What you're after here is the walk itself. Bird watchers tend to do well - the woodland birds are vocal, especially in spring. Photographers find the light filtering through the canopy worth the trip. It's free to access and worth fitting in if you're staying at Lodge Coppice Holiday Park nearby, though I wouldn't say it's reason enough to drive out of your way on its own.

Go on a dry day if you can. The paths hold water after rain, and the mud gets properly slippery. Early autumn, when the beech leaves start turning, is when it feels least like a trudge.