Coney Wood

The woodland around Rickmansworth proper hums with life come spring. Coney Wood is one of those forests that doesn't announce itself - no car park, no visitor centre, just dense Buckinghamshire woodland where you actually see what the Chilterns looked like before someone turned it into commuter belt. The walking here is straightforward enough. Paths wind through beech and oak, and if you time it right in May, the bluebells do their thing across the forest floor. It's the kind of place where you can lose an afternoon without trying too hard. Not dramatic like some forest walks - there's no dramatic viewpoint or old ruin - but that's rather the point. Families with younger walkers will manage fine on the main routes. Teenagers might find it a bit dull unless they're into the naturalist angle or bird spotting. This is proper thinking-space woodland. The nearest significant landmark is Rickmansworth itself, sitting just a few miles south, which gives you easy access if you're basing yourself in the area. Combine it with a stay at Lights Camera Glamping nearby - that's only about four miles away - and you've got something rather nice. The glamping spot scores well for family holidays, which makes sense given the hiking options on your doorstep. Allow a couple of hours minimum to make the walk worth your while. Bring decent boots because it can be muddy, especially after rain.