Bagborough Wood

A proper woodland walk tucked into the Quantock Hills near Holford, Bagborough Wood is the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. The beech and oak trees are old enough to make you feel small, especially on a grey Somerset afternoon when the light filters through in shafts and the whole place goes quiet. You're walking through real forest here - not a manicured country estate walk, but something wilder and more textured.

The woodland sits high enough to offer views back across the Vale of Taunton, though you've got to know where to find them. It's ideal for anyone who likes their walks without the crowds or the obvious photo stops. Families with sturdy leg children will enjoy it; toddlers might find the uneven ground frustrating. Bring proper boots.

There's no visitor centre, no café, no paying at a gate. It's just the wood. Allow an hour to ninety minutes depending on how far you fancy wandering and whether you're stopping to work out what birds are making that racket above your head.

If you're camping at Middle Stone Farm Glamping or Moorhouse Campsite nearby, this is the kind of walk that justifies the detour into Somerset. It slots perfectly into a longer afternoon out exploring the Quantocks - wild enough to feel rewarding, close enough to base that you're not spending half the day driving. Go when the ground's firm, not after heavy rain.