Woody's Walk

A woodland walk near Alton that's been going strong for years, Woody's Walk is the sort of place locals know about and visitors stumble upon by accident. The route winds through proper Hampshire countryside - old oaks, the occasional stream, and that particular kind of quiet you don't get near main roads. It's not a dramatic trek; you're looking at an hour or so depending on which loop you fancy, and the paths are well-trodden enough that you won't get lost. The appeal is straightforward: trees, air, and space to think.

Families with younger kids will find it manageable without being spectacular. There's enough going on to keep them engaged - fallen logs to scramble over, wildlife spotting if you're lucky - but it won't blow their minds. Serious walkers might feel it's a bit short for the journey to get there. Photographers could do worse; the light filtering through the canopy works nicely on overcast days.

The walk's free and open year-round. Spring and autumn are genuinely better than summer, when midges can be tiresome. If you're staying at Feather Down Manor Farm nearby, it's close enough to combine with a farm holiday - adds something without dominating your itinerary.

Worth a visit if you're in the area and fancy stretching your legs without faffing about with parking fees or crowds. On a quiet morning, it's exactly what a woodland walk should be.