Selborne Common

The Common sprawls across 250 acres of proper woodland just outside Alton - it's the sort of place where you can actually lose an afternoon without trying. Beech and oak dominate, with open heathland breaking through in patches, and the paths are well-marked enough that you won't end up completely lost, even when the tree canopy gets thick.

Walkers will find this genuinely rewarding. There's a circular route of about four miles that takes you past Gilbert White's old haunts - he was an 18th-century naturalist who documented everything about this place, and his observations still hold up. The terrain undulates gently rather than punishing, so it suits families with older kids and less experienced hikers. Younger children might find the lack of specific attractions (no play equipment, no visitor centre) a bit dull after an hour though.

It's free to access and open year-round, though autumn is exceptional - the beech trees turn properly golden. Allow two to three hours for a decent walk. The woodland is also excellent for spotting birds and the occasional deer if you're quiet about it.

Stay at Wigwam Holidays just 3.5 miles away and you've got easy morning or evening access to the Common. Pair it with Hampshire Hills a bit further out, and you're well positioned for exploring the wider chalk downland landscape. The proximity to Alton means a proper pub lunch afterwards is always on the cards.