Turnham Wood

A proper woodland walk rather than a manicured attraction - Turnham Wood near Calne is the sort of place you stumble upon and think, why don't more people know about this? Ancient beech and oak trees create a green tunnel overhead, and in spring the forest floor erupts with bluebells. The paths are well-trodden but never crowded, even on weekends.

It's ideal for families who want their kids actually tired out rather than bored senseless at yet another visitor centre. Walkers get a good hour or two depending on the route you take - there's enough tree cover to make it decent in drizzle, and the ground rarely gets waterlogged for long. History types might find the old boundary banks interesting, though the wood doesn't come with plaques explaining what they are.

You won't find opening hours or admission charges because there aren't any - turn up when you like, park sensibly, and go in. The nearest proper facilities are in Calne itself, a few miles north.

If you're camping at The Retreat Glamping or one of the other sites dotted around the area - Roe Deer Fields, Plough Lane, The Moors - Turnham Wood makes a straightforward morning outing before lunch. It's not dramatic or Instagram-ready, but it's genuine woodland that actually feels wild. No gift shop, no car park attendant, just trees and quiet. Sometimes that's exactly what a holiday needs.