Great Lipmore

Great Lipmore is a proper working forest just outside Alton, the kind of place where you can actually walk without bumping into crowds. It's managed woodland rather than a visitor attraction with facilities, so go in with that expectation and you'll have a decent time.

The forest itself is decent for a woodland wander. You've got decent tree coverage - mix of broadleaf and conifer - and the paths are mostly manageable underfoot, though it can get muddy after rain. There's something straightforward about it: no gift shops, no interpretation boards, just trees and quiet. If you're after a proper forest walk rather than a manicured country estate, this delivers.

Families with older kids will get more out of it than toddlers. The woodland is good for spotting wildlife and learning how working forests operate, but there's not much laid on for entertainment. Walkers and nature types will be happiest here. Allow a couple of hours for a proper explore, less if you're just popping in for a quick circuit.

It works well as part of a wider forest holiday in Hampshire. The Wigwam Holidays site nearby gives you a proper base for exploring the area's woodlands - Great Lipmore slots in nicely alongside longer days out elsewhere. Free to visit, as far as we can tell, though access arrangements can change with forestry work, so worth checking locally before you go.