Great Plantation

The woodland at Great Plantation feels proper ancient - towering oaks and beeches that have been standing since long before the car parks arrived. You're looking at serious forest cover just a few miles west of Chichester, the sort of place where you can actually lose an hour without trying and come out feeling like you've properly walked.

It's dense woodland rather than manicured parkland, so if you're after a straightforward ramble through the Hampshire countryside without fighting crowds, this delivers. The canopy is thick enough that even on bright days you get that cool, green light filtering through. Families with kids who don't mind a bit of mud will do well here - it's the sort of wood where children still get excited about fallen logs and puddles. History types should note the area has medieval roots, though the forest itself is worth visiting just for the walking.

Base yourself at Adhurst Yurts - just 3.4 miles away - and you can make this a proper woodland morning before heading out to explore the wider South Downs. Bow Hill Farm caravan site (4.2 miles) also works well if you want something more traditional. The main town of Chichester sits conveniently close for supplies or a wet-weather backup plan.

Allow a good two hours minimum if you want to see what the place actually offers rather than just a quick loop. Spring and autumn are your best bets - summer gets muggy, winter's proper squelchy. Admission details are thin on the ground, but most woodland in this part of England is accessible without fuss.