The Slad

The Slad is a proper woodland valley just outside Wotton-under-Edge, the kind of place that feels like you've stumbled onto something locals have been keeping quiet about. It's a forested ravine with footpaths threading through beech and oak, a stream running at the bottom, and those steep-sided banks that make you feel oddly enclosed even when you're in the open air.

You won't find much in the way of facilities here - no visitor centre, no ice cream van, just trees and paths and the occasional dog walker. That's rather the point. It's brilliant for anyone after a proper woodland walk without the crowds of the more famous Cotswold spots. Families with older kids will enjoy it; the paths are manageable but not flat, so expect a bit of a climb coming back up. Toddlers might struggle on the steeper bits.

Allow 90 minutes to two hours depending on how much you dawdle. There's no entrance fee as far as we can tell, and you can turn up anytime. The canopy is thick enough that it's pleasant even on warmer days, though it can get muddy after rain - proper waterproofs required.

If you're staying at Wixoldbury Farm Glamping nearby, this makes an easy morning outing before breakfast or a late-afternoon meander when the light gets golden through the leaves. It won't take a whole day, but it's a cracking spot for clearing your head between longer Park walks in the area.