North Copse

A proper walk through ancient woodland, North Copse sits inland from Hayling Island and feels like you've stepped away from the coast entirely. The forest is thick with oak and beech - the kind of place where the light filters through in strips and you actually hear birdsong instead of seagulls. It's not a dramatic destination, but if you're staying at Stubcroft Farm Campsite and fancy stretching your legs beyond the usual seafront shuffle, this does the job well.

You're looking at a straightforward woodland ramble here. The paths are manageable, nothing too technical, and it's the sort of spot where kids will get genuinely tired rather than bored - fallen logs to scramble over, clearings to explore, the occasional discovery of fungi or wildlife if you're patient. Plan for an hour or so depending on how thoroughly you want to poke about.

What works about North Copse is the sense of actual forest rather than manicured nature reserve. It feels lived-in, a bit rough around the edges. In autumn the floor's properly carpeted with leaves, which is lovely, though winter can get muddy underfoot. Summer's pleasant enough if you don't mind the humidity that comes with dense woodland.

It's free to roam and there's no obvious visitor infrastructure - no car park signs, no facilities, just access points. That's either liberating or slightly confusing depending on your mood. If you're basing yourselves at the campsite and want a break from coastal walks, North Copse is worth the short trip inland. Not life-changing, but genuinely nice.