Upper Wood

You'll find Upper Wood tucked into the Berkshire countryside near Botswicky Copse, a proper working forest that doesn't feel like it's been manicured for tourists. The trails wind through dense woodland where you can actually hear yourself think - no gift shop, no visitor centre, just trees and the occasional glimpse of light through the canopy.

It's the kind of place walkers genuinely enjoy. The paths are well-maintained enough that you won't spend the afternoon pulling brambles out of your trousers, but rough enough that it feels like proper woodland rather than a park. Families with older kids do well here; younger ones might find it a bit samey after an hour or so. There's something quite meditative about it though - not dramatic, just solid, honest forest walking.

Time-wise, allow two to three hours depending on which loop you take. Whether it's free or costs anything isn't entirely clear from the ground, but either way it won't break the bank. Best visited on a damp autumn morning when the light's that particular shade of grey and the leaf litter smells right.

If you're staying at one of the glamping spots nearby - Nordic Glamping at Botswicky or Evelyns Garden Glamping are both within easy reach - Upper Wood makes for a proper leg-stretcher without needing to drive twenty minutes. Lorne Hill Farm's also within reach if you're based further afield. It's the sort of place you slot into a longer countryside break rather than make a special trip for, but that's precisely why it works.