Great Belney Copse

The woodland paths through Great Belney Copse are proper thick with beech and oak, the kind of forest floor that's soft underfoot even in summer. You're looking at dense woodland rather than open parkland, so expectations matter - this isn't a manicured country estate, it's genuinely wild. Near Waterlooville, it's the sort of place where you can actually lose the sound of traffic, which is saying something for Hampshire.

Walkers will get the most from this. There's real value for families with older kids who can handle uneven ground and don't need facilities every five minutes. The paths wind through proper forest - you won't find benches or interpretation boards, just trees and birdsong and the occasional muddy patch. Allow two hours if you want to see what's actually there without rushing.

Access appears to be free and unrestricted, though the website information isn't clear. Go on a weekday morning if you can, or you'll be dodging school groups and weekend wanderers. Autumn's best - the light comes through differently, and the whole wood feels less claustrophobic.

If you're based at ScottsHaven Caravaning or Glamping at Wallops Wood, both within 4 miles, this makes a solid morning out before heading somewhere with more facilities for lunch. Rookesbury Park's not far either. It's not a destination in itself, but it's exactly what you want if you need proper woodland without the tourist infrastructure.