Tanglewood

Dark woodland and tangled undergrowth - that's what you get at Tanglewood, a proper forest sprawl just outside Winchester. It's the kind of place where the canopy gets so thick you need to pick your footing, especially after rain when the paths get boggy. The appeal is straightforward: you're walking through real Hampshire woodland, the sort that hasn't been tidied up for tourists. Families with older kids who don't mind getting their boots muddy will enjoy it, though toddlers might struggle on the uneven ground. Walkers use it as a decent loop-walk destination, and it's far quieter than the big named parks.

Allow an hour to ninety minutes depending on your pace and how many detours you fancy. The forest doesn't have dramatic viewpoints or heritage features - it's just trees, ferns, and the occasional clearing. In autumn the light filtering through turning leaves is genuinely good for photography. Spring's fine too, though you'll wade through nettles in places. Winter can be bleak and muddy without being particularly rewarding.

If you're based at Beechen Glamping nearby, Tanglewood makes a solid morning walk before heading into Winchester proper. It won't blow your mind, but it's the genuine article - no manicured paths or visitor facilities. You'll need proper footwear, a map on your phone, and the ability to navigate by instinct rather than signposts. That's either brilliant or frustrating depending on what you want from a forest walk.