Moss Covert

The woodland floor at Moss Covert is properly thick with ferns and moss - hence the name, though it took me a while to work that out. It's a small forest just outside Whitchurch, the sort of place that appeals to anyone after a quiet walk without the crowds that plague bigger attractions. You're looking at easy trails through dense woodland, plenty of shade, and the kind of peaceful quiet you rarely find these days.

On a practical level, allow an hour or so unless you're the type to sit on a log for ages watching birds. It's free to access and there's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so bring water. The woodland is particularly good in spring when the bluebells come through - worth timing a visit around April or May if you can.

Families with younger kids will find it manageable, though it's not a destination in itself. The paths are soft underfoot and there's minimal hazard. History types will be disappointed - there's no remnant buildings or interpretive boards, just trees and undergrowth.

If you're basing yourself at Hawk Lake or Bramblewood, both excellent caravan parks within a few miles, Moss Covert works as a morning leg-stretch rather than a main event. Combine it with a visit to Whitchurch's market square or a proper walk elsewhere in the area. It's honest woodland rather than a showstopper, but that's precisely why locals rate it.