Pope's Wood

Walk into Pope's Wood near Thatcham and you're immediately swallowed by proper old woodland - the kind with ancient oaks, tangled undergrowth, and that earthy smell that means you've left the commuter belt behind. It's a working forest, so you'll see evidence of forestry management alongside wild areas, which keeps things interesting rather than feeling like a manicured nature reserve.

This is walker territory, full stop. The paths wind through mixed woodland with enough variation to hold your attention for a couple of hours, though the terrain is fairly gentle - nothing that'll test your legs but enough to feel like you've actually been somewhere. The lack of formal facilities (car parks, visitor centres, the usual) means it hasn't been over-loved by crowds, which is precisely why it's worth the trip.

Bring binoculars if you're into birds; the woodland cover means decent sightings if you're patient. Families with primary-school age kids will get a solid walk out of it, though there's no playground or obvious attractions to break things up, so restless toddlers might grind to a halt before you do.

Stop here on your way to or from Rhodeside or Lorne Hill Farm - both are within spitting distance and rated brilliantly. It's the sort of place that makes a caravan holiday feel properly rural rather than just parked-up-near-activities. Best visited when it's not sodden, obviously. Spring and autumn are prime.