Ram Hill Wood

The forest floor here is thick with leaf litter and the air proper still - that's Ram Hill Wood for you, a patch of ancient woodland just outside Wotton-under-Edge that most visitors to Gloucestershire completely miss. Walking through it, you'll find yourself among mature hardwoods, the kind of trees that have been standing here for centuries, their trunks wrapped in moss and lichen.

It's the sort of place where you go to actually think. No cafe, no visitor centre, no one trying to sell you anything - just woodland as it's meant to be. The paths wind through naturally, though they can be boggy depending on rainfall, so proper footwear matters. You'll spot bluebells in spring if you time it right, and the canopy is dense enough that it stays cool even in summer.

Walkers get the most from this one. It's not dramatic - no views to Instagram, no dramatic rock formations - but it's restorative in a way the busier spots aren't. Allow an hour to two hours depending on how far you venture in. The nearest town, Wotton-under-Edge, sits just a few miles away and gives you access to local shops and pubs when you're done.

If you're based at Wixoldbury Farm Glamping, which sits five miles from the wood, Ram Hill Wood makes an excellent morning or late-afternoon outing. It's the kind of place that works best when you're not rushing - bring a notebook, wear waterproofs, and leave your phone on silent.