Turkdean Wood

You'll find Turkdean Wood tucked away between Cheltenham and the prettier Cotswold villages, a proper working forest rather than a manicured country house attraction. It's the sort of place where you actually walk among trees instead of around them - plenty of footpaths threading through beech and oak, with the ground soft underfoot most of the year.

Walkers get the most from this one. There's no visitor centre or cafe, so come prepared with a packed lunch if you're making a day of it. The woodland is genuinely quiet, even on weekends, which makes it ideal if you're after a break from the crowds. Dog walkers tend to love it here. Expect to spend a couple of hours if you're taking one of the longer loops; shorter strolls work too if you're fitting it around other plans.

It's free to access and open year-round, though spring and autumn are particularly good - bluebells in May, and the light filtering through golden leaves in October is worth timing your visit for. Winter can be muddy, so proper boots are sensible.

If you're staying at Bourton-on-the-Water Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just 2.3 miles away, Turkdean makes an easy morning walk before heading into Bourton's high street. Alternatively, base yourself at Cotswolds Meadow Glamping and use the wood as a quieter counterpoint to village exploring. Not a destination on its own, but a solid addition to a Cotswolds park holiday.