Battlemoor Copse

Walk into Battlemoor Copse and you're immediately swallowed by mature woodland that feels properly ancient. Towering oaks and beeches create a canopy thick enough to blot out the Somerset sky, and the ground underfoot is soft with decades of leaf fall. It's the sort of place where you actually hear yourself think.

This is straightforward forest walking territory. There are paths threading through, though they're not manicured or sign-posted to death - which is either brilliant or slightly annoying depending on your mood and map-reading skills. Families with young kids will find it manageable for an hour or so, though there's not a great deal to do once you've walked it, and boredom can set in quick if your children aren't the type to get excited about spotting birds or climbing on fallen logs.

The real draw is the quiet. Chard sits just down the road, but you'd never know it from inside the copse. Walkers will appreciate the cover on drizzly days - which, let's be honest, is most days in Somerset. Bring proper boots; it gets muddy after rain.

If you're based at Dimpsey Shepherd's Hut just half a mile away, it's ideal for a morning stroll before breakfast. Holly Bush Caravan Park, a bit further out near Chard, also makes it an easy add-on to a park stay without feeling like you're making a special trip. Free access, no time limit - just turn up and wander. Don't expect dramatic views or facilities. Just expect woods.