Woodman Croft Covert

The woodland around Woodman Croft Covert, just outside Chippenham, is the sort of place you stumble upon rather than deliberately plan for. It's a proper working forest - Forestry Commission land, by the look of it - with dense stands of conifers and a network of tracks that invite exploration without making a song and dance about it. You won't find a visitor centre or interpretation boards here. It's just trees, space, and the kind of quiet you don't get near town.

Walkers will get the most from it. The terrain is manageable, the paths are clear enough, and there's something satisfying about working your way through the plantation without worrying about crowds or signposting. It's the sort of forest where you can lose an hour easily, which isn't always a bad thing. Kids under ten might find it a bit samey - endless dark conifers can feel oppressive rather than magical - but older ones who like exploring will be content.

Stay at one of the nearby campsites - The Retreat Glamping or The Moors Campsite are both within two and a half miles - and you've got an easy morning walk that doesn't require the full day-trip palaver. The Chippenham area has decent bones for a quiet break, and the forest works as a proper escape without needing to drive to somewhere more famous. Go on a weekday if you can. Weekends bring dog walkers and mountain bikers, which changes the mood entirely.