Braken Hurst

You'll find yourself among proper old-growth woodland as soon as you enter Bracken Hurst - it's the kind of place where the canopy is so thick that even on bright days there's a cool green half-light all around you. The forest spreads across Staffordshire near Burton-on-Trent and offers straightforward woodland walking without the crowds you'd find at more famous spots.

The paths wind through mixed woodland with patches of bracken (hence the name) and occasional clearings where light filters through. It's good for families who want a proper walk without needing scrambling experience or steep climbs. Dog walkers love it, and if you've got restless kids, the varied terrain keeps things interesting enough to stop them complaining after ten minutes.

During autumn the light through the turning leaves is genuinely worth the trip. Spring's decent too - bluebells come through in patches. Summer can feel a bit muggy under all that canopy, if I'm honest.

There's no facilities that I'm aware of, so bring water and check the weather before you go. You can spend anywhere from an hour to a half-day here depending on which paths you take. If you're staying at Lane Tree Hideaways nearby, this makes a solid morning walk without needing to drive far.

It's not spectacular in the way a waterfall or mountain view is. But if you're after genuine woodland - the kind where you can actually breathe properly and hear something other than car noise - Bracken Hurst does the job.