Frieze Wood

Ancient oak and beech trees tower overhead in this peaceful woodland that stretches across the lower slopes near Malvern. The paths here are well-maintained but not overly manicured - you get that proper forest feel without worrying about getting properly lost. It's the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think, away from the more popular walking spots on the Malvern Hills themselves.

Families with younger children will find it manageable, though the terrain does have some gentle undulations that might challenge pushchairs in places. Dog walkers absolutely love it here - plenty of space for off-lead adventures and natural water sources for thirsty paws.

The wood works brilliantly as a quieter alternative when the main Malvern Hills paths are busy with weekend crowds. You can easily spend an hour wandering the main routes, or make it part of a longer walk connecting to other local footpaths. Best visited in autumn when the leaf colour is cracking, though it's lovely year-round.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Riverside Caravan Park or Malvern Hills Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite puts you within easy reach. It's particularly handy for those mornings when you fancy a gentle forest walk before tackling the more demanding hills that Malvern is famous for.