New Inn Copse

A proper woodland walk just outside Alton, New Inn Copse is the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan a pilgrimage to - and that's rather the point. Ancient beech and oak trees create a thick canopy overhead, with the forest floor soft underfoot and surprisingly quiet despite being close to town. The paths wind through genuinely old woodland, the kind where you half expect to spot a badger sett or find yourself in a fairy tale.

It's ideal for anyone who wants a proper woodland immersion without the crowds you'd get at the New Forest. Families with young walkers won't struggle here - the terrain is gentle and there's something satisfying about letting kids just potter about among the trees. Those after a serious hike will find it a touch limited on its own, but it works brilliantly as a morning walk before heading elsewhere in the day.

The forest is free to access and you can spend an hour here, or two if you're not in a hurry. Early morning is genuinely atmospheric; go mid-afternoon and it's just nice. If you're based at Wigwam Holidays or Feather Down Manor Farm nearby, this makes an excellent addition to your park holiday - somewhere to burn off energy without driving for ages. The woodland isn't dramatic or showy, but it's the real deal: quiet, green, and proper Hampshire.