Hampage Wood

A proper stretch of ancient woodland just outside Winchester, Hampage Wood is the sort of place you can lose a couple of hours wandering without feeling like you've gone anywhere touristy. It's genuine forest - oak and beech mostly, with a decent network of paths that loop through without being overly manicured or signed to death.

Walkers will get the most from it. There's enough ground to cover that you're not just doing a quick circuit, and the canopy does what it's supposed to do on a hot day. Families with kids old enough to manage uneven ground will find it decent; younger children might flag once the novelty of being in the woods wears off after the first half-hour.

The beauty of Hampage Wood is that it's not trying to be anything other than what it is - a wood you can walk through. No visitor centre, no facilities that I could find, no entrance fee to speak of. Just park nearby and go. The paths are reasonably clear, though after heavy rain they can get boggy. I'd allow a good hour and a half if you're actually exploring rather than just passing through.

If you're staying at The Spinney Caravan Park or Hampshire Hills, both only a few miles out, Hampage Wood makes a proper morning's activity before heading into Winchester itself. It's the sort of place that works well as part of a walking-focused park holiday rather than a destination in itself. Worth the detour if you're in the area and fancy something low-key.