Morgaston Wood

There's something properly restorative about Morgaston Wood when you've had enough of Reading's bustle. This pocket of ancient woodland sits quietly on the edge of West Berkshire, offering the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think. The trees are dense enough to muffle road noise, and the paths wind through a mix of oak and beech that shifts colour dramatically through the seasons.

Walkers will find it's a solid hour or so of gentle wandering, depending on how many diversions you take. There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so come prepared - it's the sort of wood you slip into without ceremony. The undergrowth is thick in summer, which means you won't be rubbing shoulders with hordes of people, though it does mean the paths can get a bit muddy after rain.

Families with younger kids might get restless after an hour or so unless they're the type to hunt for creatures and build dens. Serious woodland walkers, however, will appreciate its unpretentious character. It's free to access and there's no admission gate or opening hours nonsense - you just turn up.

If you're staying at Ravenswing Park nearby, this makes a sensible morning walk before heading back for lunch. It's not flashy or dramatic, but it does the job: proper woodland, no crowds, and close enough to Reading that you're not burning half a day on logistics.