Tadhill Copse

A proper woodland walk through Somerset's quieter side, Tadhill Copse sits just outside Mells and rewards anyone who bothers to find it. The trees are old - real old - and the canopy does that thing where it filters the light into cathedral-like shafts that make you want to whisper even though there's nobody around. Paths wind through without being over-managed, which means muddy boots in winter but also means it feels genuinely wild rather than landscaped.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a circuit with a cafe at the end or educational signage at every turn - it's just you, the oaks, and the undergrowth. Children will either love the freedom to explore or get bored fairly quickly depending on their tolerance for "not much happening". Budget an hour if you're moving at a decent pace, longer if you're the type to stop and notice things.

The real draw is how close it is to Mells, a proper little market town worth exploring in its own right. If you're staying at Glamping on the Hill nearby, this is an easy walk before breakfast or a wind-down in late afternoon. Free to access, no facilities that I can see, so bring what you need. Go when the light's good - early morning or late afternoon - because that's when the woodland actually does its best work.