Bexley Copse

A modest woodland walk on the edge of Newbury that punches above its weight if you catch it right. Bexley Copse is proper old-growth forest - the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think, which is rarer than it should be. The trees are tall enough that even on grey Hampshire days there's something atmospheric about the place.

It's not a showstopper attraction on its own. An hour gets you through the main paths comfortably, and there's nothing that'll make non-walkers linger. But if you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks - Hollington Park Glamping is only a couple of miles away - it's worth a morning stroll, particularly in autumn when the woodland floor disappears under leaf litter. Families with young kids who don't need a visitor centre to stay entertained will do fine here; anyone expecting facilities or manicured paths should look elsewhere.

The real value is what it offers alongside a longer break in the area. Pair it with walks around Bishops Green Farm Campsite territory or other Newbury-area green spaces if you're planning a proper nature-focused few days. Go early in the day if you value solitude - it's not packed, but weekends do draw a steady trickle of locals. Free and accessible year-round, though it's muddy after heavy rain, which isn't uncommon in Hampshire.