Ravensnest Wood

The woodland around Ravensnest in Monmouthshire is proper countryside - the sort of place where you actually hear birds rather than traffic. It's genuine forest walking territory just a few miles north of Chepstow, with dense tree cover and enough paths to keep you occupied for a solid afternoon without feeling like you're trudging round a theme park.

What you get here are straightforward woodland trails through mature trees. The ground's typically boggy after rain, so decent boots matter. There's genuine peace and quiet, which sounds obvious for a wood, but most people you'd run into near Chepstow are queuing for attractions rather than actually walking through trees. This is the real thing.

Walkers will get the most from it - families with young kids might find it a bit relentless after an hour or so, unless they're the type who genuinely enjoy rambling without a destination. The forest doesn't have a viewpoint or dramatic feature at the end; it's just woodland. That's either exactly what you want or completely pointless depending on your mood.

Admission appears to be free. Allow a couple of hours if you're doing a proper walk, less if you just fancy a quick stomp about. Both Forest and Wye Valley Caravan and Camping Site and Penhein Glamping are within striking distance if you're basing yourself in the area. It works well as a morning walk before heading into Chepstow or combining with other Wye Valley walks.