Pigtrough Bottom

The name alone is enough to raise eyebrows, but Pigtrough Bottom is a genuinely pleasant woodland walk near Wantage that deserves taking seriously. It's a small forestry area where locals come to stretch their legs without any fuss - no visitor centre, no café, just trees and quiet paths that wind through beech and oak.

The walk itself takes around 45 minutes to an hour depending on which route you choose. The ground can be muddy, particularly after rain, so proper boots are essential rather than optional. You're looking at mixed woodland trails where the light filters through nicely in spring and summer. Autumn's particularly good here - the beech trees put on a decent show without the crowds you'd get at somewhere better-known.

It's more appealing to walkers than families with small children, though older kids who can handle uneven ground and aren't expecting play equipment will be fine. There's genuine peace here, which is rare this close to the Wantage area. No admission charge that I'm aware of - it's proper free access.

If you're staying at Lorne Hill Farm just down the road, this makes an easy morning escape before heading elsewhere. Don't come expecting dramatic views or anything Instagram-worthy. Come for the quiet, the smell of damp earth, and the odd glimpse of woodland birds. It's the sort of place that reminds you why people still walk in forests despite everything.