Catmore Plantation

Catmore Plantation is a proper woodland walk just outside Thatcham, the sort of place that doesn't announce itself much but rewards anyone who actually goes there. It's a coniferous forest - mostly pine and spruce - so the ground's soft underfoot and everything smells how forests should smell. The paths are easy to follow and you can wander for anything from twenty minutes to an hour depending on how lost you want to get.

It's genuinely good for families with younger kids. There's space to roam without the anxiety of them bolting into traffic, and the shade is intense on hot days. Dog walkers absolutely love it here - I saw at least a dozen on my last visit, all looking far happier than they would in a park. Serious hikers might find it a bit samey after a while - there's not much elevation change and the views are limited to trees in all directions - but that's fine if you're after peace rather than panoramas.

The real advantage of Catmore is how close it is to Lorne Hill Farm if you're staying there. The holiday park's only five miles away, so it's a natural morning walk before breakfast or an evening outing when you can't face a proper expedition. The woodland doesn't charge anything as far as I can tell, and there are no visitor facilities, so bring water if you're there more than an hour. Spring's lovely when the new growth comes through, though winter's quieter if you like that sort of thing.