Compton Wood

The forest floor here is carpeted in beech mast and leaf litter - proper woodland, not a manicured nature reserve. Compton Wood sits just outside Cheltenham and gives you that genuine English forest feel without having to drive an hour into the Cotswolds proper. Walk the trails and you'll spot the usual mix of oak, beech, and the odd wild service tree if you know what you're looking at. It's the sort of place that rewards a slow amble rather than a destination visit - bring binoculars if you're keen on woodland birds, though on most days you'll be sharing it with dog walkers and a few families looking to burn off some energy. Allow an hour or so for a decent circuit. The main appeal is straightforward: if you're camping at Bourton-on-the-Water and fancy escaping the tourist masses for an afternoon, this delivers without fuss. Kids aged six and up will probably find it interesting enough; younger ones might get restless unless you're actively hunting for insects or fungi. The ground can be boggy after rain - bring proper boots. There's no visitor centre or café, so come prepared. Free to walk, no ticketing that we could find. Close enough to Cheltenham for a morning visit if the weather's decent, though truthfully it's more of a pleasant detour than a reason to visit the area on its own.