Sprickles

A proper woodland walk through Somerset's countryside, Sprickles is the kind of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. The forest sprawls across undulating ground near Mells, offering enough tree cover and winding paths to feel like you've actually escaped civilisation for an hour or two.

It's straightforward stuff - woodland trails that don't demand map-reading skills, dappled shade in summer, and the sort of quiet you only get when you're surrounded by nothing but oaks and birch. The terrain is manageable for families with older kids and anyone who fancies a gentle stomp without the uphill grind of the higher Mendips. Younger children might find it a bit samey after thirty minutes, truth be told.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of - bring water and maybe a packed snack if you're making an afternoon of it. Weekday mornings are infinitely better than weekends if you want the paths to yourself. The forest is free to explore and doesn't require booking or admission fees.

If you're staying at Glamping on the Hill five miles away, Sprickles works well as a morning walk before heading to busier attractions elsewhere in Somerset. It's not the most dramatic forest in the region, but it's real and accessible. Expect woodland, birdsong, and the chance to clear your head without faffing about with postcodes and car parks.