Long Plantation

Quiet footpaths wind through this mature woodland just outside Tewkesbury, where tall trees create a proper canopy that filters the light into dappled patterns on the forest floor. Long Plantation feels like the kind of place locals have been walking their dogs for decades - no fanfare, just good honest woodland.

Families will find it gentle enough for younger children, though don't expect adventure playgrounds or visitor centres. This is walking territory, pure and simple. The paths are well-defined but can get muddy after rain, so decent footwear helps. Bird watchers often do well here, particularly in the early morning when the wood comes alive with activity.

It's free to wander (as far as I could tell), and you could easily spend an hour or two exploring without covering the same ground twice. The plantation works brilliantly as a morning stretch-the-legs stop if you're staying at nearby holiday parks like Millavon or Tewkesbury Abbey Caravan Club.

Combine it with a trip into Tewkesbury itself - the abbey is worth seeing, and there are proper pubs for lunch afterwards. Long Plantation won't change your life, but it's a lovely spot for a peaceful walk when you need to escape the caravan for a bit.