Robin Wood

The woodland around Robin Wood near Banbury feels properly wild in places, with dense stands of oak and beech that block out most of the sky. There's no visitor centre or fancy infrastructure here - it's the sort of place where you just turn up and walk, which some people love and others find a bit frustrating when they're after facilities.

You get decent footpaths threading through, and the woodland floor is soft underfoot even when it's been dry for weeks. The real appeal is the peace of it. There aren't crowds, and you won't spend three hours queuing to get a coffee. Families with reasonably confident walkers will do well here; small children might find it all a bit samey after an hour or so. The paths aren't particularly challenging, though it can get muddy after rain.

It's worth combining with a stay at The Pig Place, which sits only 2.8 miles away and offers proper accommodation if you're making a weekend of exploring the area. The forest works as a half-day walk rather than an all-day commitment - allow a couple of hours if you want to amble without rushing.

Go early morning if you can. The light filters through the canopy differently, and you'll dodge whatever weekend foot traffic does exist. It's free to access, which is its strongest selling point.