Copse

The Copse sits just outside Emsworth, a proper bit of woodland that punches above its weight for somewhere so close to the coast. You're walking through dense beech and oak, the kind of forest floor that's thick with leaf litter and moss - it feels properly ancient even though these woods have been managed for centuries. The canopy closes in overhead, shutting out the noise from the nearby roads, and there's a real sense of escaping into something older than the suburbs pressing in around it.

It's ideal if you're staying at somewhere like Bow Hill Farm just up the road and want to stretch your legs without committing to a full day's ramble. The paths wind through without being overly signposted, which some will find frustrating and others will find refreshing. You can do a decent loop in under an hour, or potter about for longer if the kids are into looking for bugs and building dens.

Historically this is working woodland - you'll notice the evidence of coppicing and management if you're paying attention. It's not the sort of place that stops you in your tracks with a view or a dramatic clearing, but it's exactly what you need after a few days of seaside towns and caravan sites. Come early morning if you want to avoid other walkers, and bring good boots if there's been rain. The ground gets slippery fast.