Dean Grove

Walking into Dean Grove feels like stepping into the Cotswolds proper - proper woodland, that is. This is a genuine working forest near Chipping Norton, not some manicured nature trail, though it's accessible enough for a family afternoon. You'll find yourself under a canopy of mature trees with paths that wind through, offering the kind of peace you come to the Cotswolds for in the first place.

It's ideal for walkers who want something more substantial than a village stroll but aren't after a full-day hike. Children won't find climbing frames or signposted attractions, so if you've got toddlers after an hour of novelty, this might feel a bit sparse. But for older kids who can amuse themselves in nature, or adults after some proper quiet, it works brilliantly. The woodland floor is interesting enough - shade-loving plants, fallen logs to navigate, the occasional clearing that catches the light.

Bringing it into a park holiday, Dean Grove sits handily close to Cotswolds Caravan and Camping, which is barely half a mile away, so you could easily slip out for an hour or two. The nearby sites at Cotswold View and Chipping Norton's own Club site are equally convenient bases for exploring both the forest and the market town itself. Winter's actually rather good here when the canopy's thinner and you can see deeper into the wood. No fees, no fuss - just woodland as it should be.