Westbury-on-Severn

Rolling hills and ancient woodlands dominate this quiet corner of west Gloucestershire, where the River Severn carves through farmland that's barely changed in centuries. Westbury-on-Severn sits properly off the beaten track - the sort of place where you'll hear birdsong over traffic and find proper mud on your boots after a morning walk.

Nottswood Hill offers cracking views across the Severn Vale, especially on clear days when the Welsh hills emerge on the horizon. It's a bit of a slog to the top, but well worth it for the panorama. Down in the valley, Ley Park provides gentler walking through mixed woodland, while the adjoining Ley Court Wood stretches for miles of proper forest paths. Birdwood Coppice is lovely for a shorter ramble if you're not up for the full forest experience.

The area's dotted with grand old manor houses - Huntley Manor and Stantway Court both catch the eye, though they're private residences rather than tourist attractions. What draws visitors here is the landscape itself: Great Adam's Wood and Little Adam's Wood form part of an extensive woodland network that's brilliant for wildlife spotting.

Getting here requires a car, really. The nearest proper town is Gloucester, about 20 minutes by road, though the villages feel wonderfully remote once you're here. The lack of major attractions means it stays refreshingly quiet, even in summer.

Staying at one of the local camping spots like Passage Farm or West End Farm puts you right in the heart of this walking country. You can explore different woodlands each day without driving far, and the peaceful setting means you'll actually hear the countryside come alive at dawn.