Hawkridge Wood

The woodland paths through Hawkridge Wood offer proper respite from the flat Somerset levels that surround Bridgwater. It's a working forest rather than a manicured country house estate, so you get the sense of actual trees doing actual tree things rather than a managed attraction trying too hard.

Walking here is straightforward. The trails wind through decent-sized stands of mixed woodland - enough canopy cover to feel properly in nature without needing mountaineering skills. In autumn the colours are worth the trip alone. Spring brings bluebells if you time it right. Summer's fine if you don't mind the flies.

This suits walkers above all else. Families with young kids will manage an hour, maybe ninety minutes before someone complains about muddy shoes. Bring proper footwear - the ground gets sodden after rain and trainers won't cut it. There's no cafe, no visitor centre, no facilities really, which is either brilliant or annoying depending on your mood.

The location works well as a break from Moorhouse Campsite's base just down the road. Four and a half miles is easy enough for an afternoon outing. If you're camping and want to tire the kids out without spending money, it's worth knowing about. The wood's free to enter and you set your own pace - thirty minutes for a quick circuit, two hours if you want to properly explore.

Don't expect views or drama. What you get is quiet woodland, decent air, and the sort of walk where you might actually notice birdsong.