Peakham Copse

The woodland around Peakham Copse offers a proper escape if you're staying in the Alton area. It's the sort of place where you can burn an hour or two wandering through beech and oak without needing a map or a plan. The canopy is thick enough to feel genuinely removed from things, even though you're barely outside town.

Walkers will find the most satisfaction here. There are informal paths threading through the trees, though nothing particularly dramatic or challenging - it's easy navigation rather than proper fell-walking. Kids won't complain if you drag them along, but they'll want more of a destination than just trees. A stream runs through part of it, which keeps things slightly less dull if you've got restless legs to manage.

If you're based at Wigwam Holidays nearby, this is a decent leg-stretch option on a day when you fancy something low-key. It won't take all afternoon, so pair it with a wander around Alton itself or head to one of the better-known spots in Hampshire. The copse works best as a break between things rather than a main event.

Access appears to be free and unrestricted, which is always welcome. Go on a weekday morning if possible - weekends bring the usual crowd noise. Late autumn or early spring, when the wood feels less claustrophobic, is probably when it's most rewarding.