Highmoor Common Wood

Ancient beech trees tower overhead as you wander into this proper slice of Chilterns woodland, just outside Watlington. Highmoor Common Wood feels wonderfully untamed compared to the manicured countryside nearby, with brambles spilling across narrow paths and fallen logs creating natural obstacle courses that kids absolutely love.

Dog walkers and families make up most of the visitors here, though you'll occasionally spot serious birders with their binoculars trained on the canopy. The network of informal trails means you can easily lose yourself for a couple of hours, though it's not the sort of place where you need OS maps and hiking boots. Wellies in winter, mind - it gets properly muddy.

What strikes you most is how quiet it feels despite being so close to the M40. The dense woodland swallows up most traffic noise, leaving just birdsong and the crunch of leaves underfoot. Spring brings wild garlic carpeting the forest floor, while autumn turns the whole place into a golden cathedral.

For families staying at nearby sites like Swiss Farm Touring or Henley Four Oaks, it's a lovely morning out that won't exhaust anyone. Give yourself an hour or two to properly explore, and don't expect facilities - this is woodland in its raw state, which is rather the point.