Hutton Copse

The woodland at Hutton Copse sits just outside Presteigne, and it's the sort of place that rewards a proper wander rather than a quick tick-off. Ancient trees, mixed woodland, decent trails - nothing flashy, but genuinely peaceful. You'll see why locals walk here regularly.

It's woodland, so the main activity is walking. The paths are reasonably well-maintained, though in winter they can get boggy. Allow anything from 45 minutes to two hours depending on which routes you take and how much you want to poke around. The canopy cover means it's decent even in drizzle, and there's real shade in summer - handy if the kids have had enough of open moorland.

Historically interesting too if you're into that sort of thing. Old managed woodland with signs of traditional coppicing, which tells a story about how these places have been worked over centuries. It's not a museum piece; it's still working woodland, which somehow makes it more interesting than somewhere roped off and explained to death.

Families will get a morning out of it; serious walkers might want something longer nearby. It works well as a break-day activity if you're based at Presteigne Holiday Park or one of the other parks dotted round the area - close enough for a short drive, far enough from the holiday park noise to feel like proper countryside. Free access, as far as anyone can tell, though facilities are minimal. Bring your own coffee in a decent flask. That's the spirit of the place.