Cowdown Copse

Walk into Cowdown Copse and you're immediately swallowed by proper old-growth woodland - the kind where light filters through in dusty shafts and the floor is thick with leaf litter. It's a small forest rather than a sprawling estate, which makes it feel intimate without ever feeling cramped. The trees here are substantial, mixed broadleaf mostly, and there are enough paths to keep you happily occupied for a couple of hours without getting lost.

This is walkers' territory, full stop. You won't find benches or visitor facilities - this is working woodland, not a manicured country park. Families with young children will manage fine on the main routes, but it's not a playground. Birdwatchers and nature types will appreciate the quietness and the chance of spotting woodland birds. Photographers can get decent shots when the light's right, particularly in spring or autumn.

It's just a few miles from Alresford, which means you can combine this with a wander around the market town or a visit to Hampshire Hills, the nearby glamping and caravan park. The two work well together - spend the morning in the woods, afternoon exploring Alresford's Georgian high street and water meadows. Allow two to three hours for a proper woodland walk here, depending on how slowly you move and whether you stop to listen.

There's no entrance fee that I'm aware of, and no formal opening hours - it operates on the honour system typical of many small woods in Hampshire. Go when it's dry if you can. The paths get muddy, but that's half the charm.