Bere Wood

Ancient oak and beech trees tower overhead as you wander the well-trodden paths through this proper slice of Dorset woodland. Bere Wood sits just outside Wareham, offering families a lovely escape from the holiday park bustle without veneding too far from base camp. The forest feels genuinely wild in places - not one of those manicured affairs where every bramble's been trimmed.

Dog walkers absolutely love it here, and you'll spot plenty of families with young ones collecting sticks and hunting for wildlife. The paths are clear enough for pushchairs on the main routes, though some of the more interesting trails venture into proper woodland territory where wellies come in handy after rain.

Allow a good hour or two if you're planning a proper explore, though younger children might flag after 45 minutes unless you pack a picnic to break up the walk. The wood connects beautifully with longer rambles across Wareham Forest if you're feeling ambitious.

Staying at one of the nearby parks like Wareham Forest Tourist Park or Sandford Holiday Park makes this an easy day out - close enough for a morning adventure before heading back for lunch. Free parking and no entrance fees make it particularly appealing when you're trying to keep holiday costs down.