Wick Golden Valley Nature Reserve

The Golden Valley cuts through Somerset like a green wound, all steep wooded sides and a proper beck running through the bottom. You'll find Wick Golden Valley Nature Reserve just outside Bath, and it's the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think - which, near Bath, is rarer than you'd expect.

It's a walking reserve, really. There are paths through mixed woodland, alongside the water, and if you time it right you'll see kingfishers and the occasional roe deer melting back into the trees. The light filters through the canopy in a way that feels almost monastic. Bring wellies in winter - the paths get boggy, but that's half the charm.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not a destination on its own - you're looking at an hour or ninety minutes max - but it slots beautifully into a longer day exploring Bath itself. The woodland itself is genuinely lovely, and the contrast between the town's Georgian terraces and this quiet green space makes you appreciate both more.

If you're staying at Bath Mill Lodge Retreat nearby, it's worth a morning visit before heading into town proper. Free admission, as far as I could gather, and no faffing about with opening hours - just go when you fancy. Best on a quiet weekday rather than weekends when Bath gets rammed. Leave the kids who need constant entertainment at home; this is for people who actually want to walk.