Ash Wood

The Somerset Levels aren't exactly known for woodland, which is what makes Ash Wood near Langport rather a pleasant surprise. It's a proper stretch of native broadleaf forest in an area that's mostly open water meadows and peat bogs - you'll notice the difference the moment you step under the canopy.

The wood itself is small, maybe a couple of hundred acres, but thick enough that you lose sight of the flat landscape beyond pretty quickly. Ash, oak, and elder dominate, and it's the kind of place where you see ferns clustered around the bases of trees and hear more birdsong than you'd expect for Somerset. There are rough paths threading through, nothing dramatic, just a gentle walk with proper roots underfoot.

Walkers get the most out of it, honestly. Families with young kids might manage twenty minutes before restlessness sets in, but if you're after a solid hour's ramble with decent woodland atmosphere, it delivers. The paths connect with the broader network across the Levels too, so you can extend it if you want.

Stay at Thorney Lakes just down the road - it's close enough for a quick forest walk before breakfast, or a wind-down after exploring the wider area. The whole region is quiet, almost austere, and Ash Wood fits that mood perfectly. It won't take your breath away, but it's a proper bit of green worth finding when you're touring the Levels.