The Warren

The Warren is a proper woodland walk on the Hampshire-Berkshire border, just outside Newbury. It's the sort of place where you actually feel like you've left civilisation behind - dense trees, winding paths, and barely another soul around on a weekday afternoon.

What you're doing here is straightforward: walking. There are several routes through the forest, ranging from a quick 20-minute potter to a proper couple-hour ramble if you want to make a day of it. The paths are well-trodden but can get muddy after rain, so decent boots are sensible. It's woodland as it should be - no gift shop, no car park attendant, just trees and quiet.

Families with older kids will find it decent enough, though younger ones might get restless after an hour or so. Walkers and runners genuinely love it - the terrain's interesting enough to keep you engaged without being brutal. History types won't find much to sink their teeth into, but there's something to be said for a forest that's just... a forest.

The beauty of staying at one of the nearby parks - Feather Down Manor Farm or Cedar Valley are both within five miles - is you've got this on your doorstep for a morning or afternoon escape. It pairs well with a proper glamping break where you want access to nature without faffing about. Free to visit, no gates to unlock, just turn up.

Worth the detour? Only if you're in the area already. But if you're basing yourself nearby for a week, absolutely slot it in.