Warborough Bank

A thick belt of woodland just south of Wantage, Warborough Bank is the sort of place locals know well but visitors often miss entirely. It's proper forest - beech and oak mostly, with the ground soft underfoot and light filtering through in that way that makes you forget what day of the week it is.

Walkers will find this genuinely rewarding. The paths are well-trodden enough that you won't get lost, but not so manicured that it feels like a country park. An hour here gives you a real walk without the pretension. In spring, the bluebells are worth timing your visit for. Summer's equally good if you're after shade and a bit of peace.

There's nothing to "do" in the sense of attractions or facilities - no café, no gift shop, none of that. It's just trees and air and the occasional dog walker. Which, frankly, is why it's worth the drive from the nearby Lorne Hill Farm if you're based that way for a week.

Kids will either love it or get bored within twenty minutes, depending on the child. Teenagers might prefer somewhere with more going on. But if you've got younger ones who still think a stick is entertainment, this place delivers the goods without the crowds you'd get at a managed nature reserve.

Best visited on a dry day - mud clings here in winter. Allow a couple of hours if you're in no rush. Free, obviously.