Oldland Copse

Walking into Oldland Copse feels like stepping into someone's back garden - if that garden happened to be several hundred acres of proper woodland. This is old-growth forest in the Oxfordshire landscape, the sort of place where you can actually lose the sound of roads and traffic within minutes of arrival.

It's a decent woodland walk rather than a destination in itself. The trees are substantial, the undergrowth thick, and there's genuine wildness to it despite being only a few miles from Faringdon. Families with young children will manage fine on the main paths, though terrain can be boggy after rain. History enthusiasts might appreciate the ancient woodland designation - these are trees that have been here for centuries. Walkers will find it a solid hour's ramble, though you can stretch that depending on mood and energy levels.

There's no café, no visitor centre, no facilities to speak of. Bring your own water and wear proper footwear. Free access as far as I can tell, though always worth checking locally when you arrive.

If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Evelyns Garden Glamping or The Real Campsite are both close enough for a morning outing - it works well as a break from park life. Not somewhere you'd travel hours for specifically, but if you're already in the area, the woods are proper worth an explore. Just go expecting genuine forest rather than manicured trails.