Tittershall Wood

Ancient woodland doesn't come much more accessible than this. Tittershall Wood sits just outside Buckingham and delivers proper old-growth forest without the pretension of the bigger reserves. The trees are genuinely impressive - towering beeches and oaks that have been standing for centuries, creating the kind of dappled shade that makes you forget about the outside world for a couple of hours.

Walkers will get the most from this one. The paths wind through the wood in a way that feels genuinely exploratory rather than manicured, and there's enough space that you won't feel crowded even on weekends. Families with younger kids might find it a bit samey after an hour - it's woodland, through and through, so don't expect dramatic viewpoints or attractions within the trees themselves. That said, older children who actually enjoy a proper walk will have a decent time spotting birds and climbing over fallen logs.

The wood is free to access and there's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so come prepared. Spring is cracking for bluebells if you time it right; autumn brings the mushroom hunters out. If you're camping at Embers Camping just down the road in Claydon, it's an obvious morning jaunt before heading elsewhere in the day. Allow 90 minutes to two hours depending on how much you potter about. Bring proper footwear - it can get muddy.