Hazleton Fox Covert

A proper woodland walk rather than a formal visitor attraction, Hazleton Fox Covert sits in rolling Wiltshire countryside just outside Malmesbury. The forest is exactly what it sounds like - a dense pocket of mixed woodland where foxes genuinely den, and walking through it on a quiet morning you'll understand why. Bluebells carpet the floor in spring, birdsong fills the canopy, and there's a genuine sense of stepping away from things.

It's the sort of place that rewards a slow wander rather than a quick half-hour circuit. Walkers will get the most from it, particularly those comfortable with less manicured trails. The paths aren't signed up like some country estates, so you need to pay attention, but that's part of the appeal really. Kids might enjoy it for a stretch, though impatient under-tens could get restless without a specific destination to head towards.

There's no visitor infrastructure that I could find - no car park, no facilities, no admission fee. You simply park nearby on quiet lanes and slip into the woods. Bring proper footwear though, especially after rain. The ground can be boggy in places.

If you're staying at Malmesbury Glamping at Whychurch Farm, the covert makes a decent morning outing before heading into Malmesbury town itself. It's close enough for a couple of hours of woodland air without eating a full day. The real value is that it feels untouched - no gritted paths, no interpretation boards. Just trees and the chance to move quietly through proper forest.