Cadora Woods

The woods around Cadora offer something proper different if you're basing yourself near Lydney - ancient woodland that feels genuinely separated from the tourist trail. Walking through here, you get the sense of the Forest of Dean without the crowds that descend on the bigger attractions. The trees are old, gnarled things, and the paths wind through dense canopy that's especially lovely in autumn when the light filters through bronze and gold.

It's walker territory, frankly. You're not coming here for a quick snap and a coffee - you're coming to spend a couple of hours on foot, getting genuinely lost in it. Families with capable walkers will find it worth the drive from Lydney. Kids who aren't into tramping about will find it dull within half an hour, though.

The admission situation isn't always clear-cut with woodland in Gloucestershire. Some areas are free to access, others have parking charges or restrictions. Your best bet is calling ahead or checking locally when you arrive at one of the caravan sites - Forest and Wye Valley is closest at just over a mile away, and staff there will know the current score on access.

What makes Cadora work is the isolation of it. This isn't Symonds Yat or Puzzle Wood with their visitor facilities and defined routes. It's quieter, rawer, and you need to be the sort of person who enjoys that. Pair it with a few days at Bracelands Campsite or Greenacres if you're planning a proper Forest of Dean circuit - it fits neatly into a week of woodland walking.