Higher Bitcombe Wood

Walking into Higher Bitcombe Wood near Mells feels like stepping backwards in time. The woodland is proper old-growth stuff - gnarled oaks and beeches that have been standing for centuries, their trunks thick enough that three people linking arms couldn't get round them. Paths wind through the undergrowth, dappled light filtering through the canopy, and on a quiet morning you might hear nothing but birdsong and your own footsteps on the leaf litter.

This is one for walkers and families who like a bit of genuine woodland wandering rather than manicured trails. Children will enjoy spotting wildlife - squirrels are guaranteed, and if you're lucky you'll catch sight of woodland birds darting between branches. It's not a destination that demands hours though. Most people will get what they came for in an hour or so, depending on how many paths you fancy exploring.

The wood sits within easy reach of two proper holiday parks - Glamping on the Hill just five miles away if you want something more upmarket, or Longleat Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite if you're after traditional camping. Either base would make a sensible spot for exploring this corner of Somerset. Mells itself is worth a look too, a handsome stone village with a decent pub if you need refreshments after your woodland ramble.

Bring decent boots if it's been wet - the ground can get boggy in places - and don't expect waymarking everywhere. It's the kind of place where getting slightly lost is half the charm.