Rowden Wood

Walking into Rowden Wood near Chippenham feels like stepping back into something proper old. The forest spreads across decent acreage with mixed woodland - the kind of place where you can actually lose the sound of the road within minutes. Paths wind through, though they're not always clearly marked, so you'll want to pay attention or bring a map.

It's the sort of woodland that rewards a slow wander rather than a quick dash. Dog walkers clearly love it, and families with kids old enough to manage uneven ground will find enough here to keep them occupied for a couple of hours. The trees are substantial - proper woodland rather than a tree farm - and in autumn it's genuinely worth the trip just for the light filtering through.

No facilities that we could find, so bring what you need. There's no entrance fee as far as anyone can tell, though you'd be wise to check locally in Chippenham before heading out. The nearby campsites - The Moors (3 miles) and Burton Hill (just over 3 miles) - both rate well with visitors, so if you're basing yourself at either one, Rowden makes a solid morning or afternoon outing. Malmesbury Glamping is a touch further out but still within easy reach.

Truth is, it's not dramatic or particularly famous. But that's rather the point. If you want woodland without the crowds or the heritage-site price tag, it does the job well enough.