Preshaw Wood

Preshaw Wood is a proper working forest just outside Alresford, the sort of place locals know about but visitors often miss. You're walking through mixed woodland - beech, oak, and conifers - with decent tracks that suit everything from a quick leg-stretch to a proper two-hour ramble. The forest floor is soft underfoot, even after rain, and there's enough variety in the paths to stop it feeling like you're just trudging in circles.

It's ideal for families who've had enough of honeypot attractions and want something low-key. Kids won't get bored if you're the type to let them explore a bit - turning over logs, finding sticks for swords, that sort of thing. Walkers will appreciate the network of trails, though it's not dramatic scenery; it's the kind of place you go to breathe properly and forget you're in Hampshire for a bit.

Free to access, no visitor centre or facilities to speak of. Allow an hour minimum if you're just pottering, two hours if you want to really lose yourself in it. Best visited in autumn when the beech trees are doing their thing, though spring's decent for bluebells if you time it right.

If you're staying at Beechen Glamping or Woodlands Camping nearby, this makes a sensible morning out before heading back for lunch. It won't dominate your day, but that's rather the point - sometimes a good wood walk is all you need.