Kingwood Common

A proper stretch of woodland that feels genuinely separate from the Oxfordshire suburbs, Kingwood Common delivers what you'd hope for - mature trees, decent walking routes, and enough space to actually breathe. It's the kind of place locals have clearly been using for years, which means the paths are well-trodden but not rammed with tourists.

The forest floor is thick with leaf litter, the canopy does its job when the weather turns drizzly, and on a quiet weekday morning you might genuinely be alone. Dog walkers and families on school holidays make up the bulk of visitors, and rightly so - there's enough open space that kids won't get wound up after half an hour, and the terrain suits all fitness levels without being boring.

Watlington sits just down the road, so it's a natural add-on to a broader Chilterns explore rather than a destination in itself. Allow an hour to ninety minutes depending on how much you want to wander. No facilities to speak of - bin it off if you need a cafe.

If you're based at Ridgeway View or The Chilterns View - both rated five stars and within spitting distance - this makes a solid morning tick before lunch elsewhere. It won't change your life, but it's reliable woodland walking done properly. Worth the short trip from either campsite.