Horton Bushes

The woodland around Horton Bushes feels properly remote despite being minutes from Wotton-under-Edge. Ancient trees crowd in from all sides - oak and beech mostly - and the forest floor is thick enough to muffle your footsteps. There's something about walking through old growth like this that makes you feel smaller than you actually are.

You're not coming here for a dramatic viewpoint or a heritage building. This is straightforward woodland walking, the kind where you lose an hour easily and come out wondering where the time went. The paths wind through decent cover, which makes it excellent if you're after shelter from the weather. Autumn is particularly good - the light filters through in proper golden rays, and the leaf litter is deep enough to feel luxurious underfoot.

Honestly, it's best suited to walkers and families with kids old enough not to need constant entertainment. The forest itself is the draw, not visitor facilities or structured activities. Allow a couple of hours if you're taking it properly, though you can do a quick loop in forty minutes. There's no admission charge to speak of, and no cafe, which means you need to bring provisions if you're planning to linger.

If you're staying at Wixoldbury Farm Glamping just down the road, this makes for a cracking morning walk before heading to one of the bigger attractions in the area. It's the sort of place you'll return to once you've found your rhythm in the forest.