Baldwin's Copse

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination in itself, Baldwin's Copse sits a few miles from Stockbridge and rewards those who venture in on foot. The trees crowd thick here - beech and oak mostly - and in autumn the floor turns coppery with fallen leaves. It's the sort of place where you actually feel separated from the road, even though you're only a short drive from town.

The main appeal is straightforward: a quiet walk among decent-sized woodland without the crowds you'd find at bigger nature reserves. Children who enjoy hunting for sticks and climbing low branches will get a solid hour or two out of it. Serious hikers will find it manageable but not particularly challenging. There's no visitor centre, no café, no facilities to speak of - you arrive, park where you can, and just walk.

Best visited in late autumn or spring when the undergrowth thins out and you can actually see where you're going. Summer can feel a bit oppressive with midges and damp air clinging to everything. The woodland connects with broader footpaths around the area, so you can extend your route if you fancy it.

For families staying at Green Hill Farm Holiday Village nearby, it's an easy add-on to a day out in Stockbridge. Not worth travelling far specifically for, but if you're already in the area and want to stretch your legs among trees instead of tarmac, it'll do the job. Bring decent boots though - it gets muddy.