Norbin's Wood

Walk into Norbin's Wood and you're immediately swallowed by dense woodland - the kind of place where light filters through in golden shafts and the path ahead disappears around a corner into proper mystery. It's not vast, but it feels remote enough that you forget Hungerford is only a stone's throw away.

This is a straightforward woodland walk, nothing more, nothing less. You'll find yourself among established trees, with the ground soft underfoot and plenty of birdsong if you time it right. The paths are well-trodden but narrow in places, winding through the sort of landscape that would have looked much the same two hundred years ago. There's no café, no visitor centre, no information boards - just trees and quiet.

It works best for walkers who actually enjoy walking rather than those hunting for something to do. Kids will get a kick out of it for maybe an hour, depending on age and energy levels. Families based at Lorne Hill Farm, just three miles away, could easily slot this in as a morning amble before lunch. Give yourself 45 minutes to an hour if you're not rushing, longer if you're the sort who stops to look at moss.

The wood is free to access - you can just walk in - and there's no stated closing time, though common sense suggests sticking to daylight hours. It's best visited in spring or early autumn when the woodland feels most alive. Muddy in winter, though, and you'll need decent boots.