Willocks Wood

The woods around Bradford-on-Avon are proper walking territory, and Willocks Wood is one of the area's quieter pockets - the sort of place you stumble upon rather than find on tourist maps. It's a working woodland with plenty of footpaths threading through mixed trees, and if you time it right (autumn is stunning), the light filtering through the canopy makes the whole thing feel rather special.

Walkers get the most from this. It's not dramatic - no waterfall reveals or hilltop views - but there's something satisfying about moving through dense woodland where you'll actually encounter fewer people than you would at the bigger honey-pot sites. The paths are generally well-maintained, though you'll want decent boots after rain. Allow a solid hour and a half if you're doing a proper loop, though you can dip in for thirty minutes if you're short on time.

Families with older kids will fare better than those with toddlers - it's genuine woodland walking rather than a gentle park stroll. The appeal is cumulative rather than immediate, which means younger children might get restless.

There's no visitor facility to speak of, so come prepared. Bradford-on-Avon itself is worth exploring afterwards for lunch. If you're based at one of the nearby parks - Widbrook Barns or Marsh Farm both have five-star ratings - Willocks Wood makes for a straightforward morning walk that slots nicely between the campsite and exploring the Georgian town centre.