Thornborough Woods

The beech trees here are massive. Thornborough Woods, just outside Buckingham, is that kind of place where you walk in and suddenly remember why you came to England in the first place - proper woodland, the sort where the canopy gets so thick in summer that midday feels like dusk.

It's a straightforward affair: well-maintained paths wind through the forest, and you'll find yourself passing through sections of old woodland that haven't changed much in decades. The ground is soft with leaf litter, and in spring the bluebells are genuinely worth timing a visit around. Autumn is equally good - the colour is spectacular, and you won't battle crowds the way you would at some of the more famous spots.

Walkers will get the most from this place. It's not a park with attractions or facilities - you're here to walk, breathe in the cool air, and listen to the birds. Families with young kids might manage an hour or so, but there's nothing to do once they've had their fill of the path. Older children who actually enjoy a proper woodland walk will be fine for longer.

Allow a couple of hours if you're not rushing. There's no entry fee that we can find, and no set opening hours either - it's just there. If you're staying at Embers Camping over in Claydon, this is a decent morning or afternoon sortie. It won't blow your mind, but it's solid woodland walking without the tourist machinery. Sometimes that's exactly what you need.