East Garston Recreation Ground

The Pang Valley cuts through the Berkshire downlands with real character, and East Garston Recreation Ground sits right in the thick of it. This is proper walking country - chalk streams, wet meadows, and the sort of light that makes you understand why people move to the country. You're looking at a nature reserve that rewards time spent pottering about rather than rushing through. The main draw is the footpath network threading through mixed woodland and grassland, with the River Pang running alongside - genuinely lovely in spring when the water meadows flood and you'll spot kingfishers if you're patient. It's free to access and works brilliantly as a half-day outing from Hungerford, which is just down the road.

Family groups with kids old enough to walk two or three miles will get plenty from it. Younger children might lose interest unless you make a proper adventure of spotting wildlife. The paths aren't gruelling - mostly level ground with the occasional climb - though boots help after rain. Allow two to three hours if you're doing the full circuit at a leisurely pace.

What makes it work for a park holiday is the proximity to Lorne Hill Farm, just a short walk away, and Evelyns Garden Glamping if you're after something with more bells on. You could easily combine a morning here with lunch in Hungerford and an afternoon exploring the wider Pang Valley. It's not the flashy sort of spot, but that's precisely why it's worth your time. The walking here feels lived-in, not packaged.