Wickfield Copse

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination in itself, Wickfield Copse sits just outside Hungerford and offers the kind of dense, quiet forest that feels a world away from the Berkshire commuter belt. The trees are tall, the undergrowth thick, and on a decent day you'll have the place virtually to yourself.

It's the sort of place where you go if you want to stretch your legs without fanfare - no visitor centre, no café, just woodland. There are paths winding through, though they're not particularly well-marked, so bring a map or know where you're headed. The canopy closes overhead properly, which means it's lovely and cool even in summer, but also means you'll want to pick your moment. Spring when the bluebells are out, or autumn when the light filters through the copper leaves - those are when it's worth the trip.

Families with younger kids might find it a bit samey after twenty minutes unless they're genuinely into spotting wildlife. But walkers doing a longer route through the area will find it worth weaving in, especially paired with nearby Lorne Hill Farm if you're basing yourself there. The walk itself takes as long as you fancy - anything from half an hour to a couple of hours if you're proper exploring.

Access is free and unrestricted, which is the one thing going wholly in its favour. It's not remarkable, but it's real woodland, and sometimes that's exactly what you need.