Badbury Clump

A modest woodland walk near Faringdon that's worth an hour of your time if you're staying in the area, though don't expect drama. Badbury Clump is essentially a small stand of beech and mixed woodland covering a hilltop - the sort of place that locals know well but outsiders often miss entirely.

Once you're up amongst the trees, there's a decent sense of being properly away from it all. The paths are straightforward, the undergrowth is fairly open in most seasons, and on a clear day you get some genuine views across the Oxfordshire countryside from the higher bits. It's the kind of walk where you can actually hear yourself think, which counts for something.

Families with young kids will manage it fine - nothing technical, no boggy bits to speak of - though there's no playground or cafe to extend the visit. Serious walkers might find it a touch small for its own sake, but it slots nicely into a longer route if you're exploring the area properly. The Real Campsite, just a few miles down the road, makes a solid base if you're doing a proper walking weekend.

Go on a quieter weekday if you can. The place doesn't feel crowded even when it probably is, which says something about the layout. Free to access, naturally. Allow ninety minutes maximum unless you're combining it with other walks. A proper little woodland break rather than a destination in itself.