The best summer forest and woodland walks

As we leave spring behind and head into summer, it’s time to reap the rewards of what springtime has beautifully sowed. Head out on a woodland walk to discover an abundance of trees in full leaf, providing a glorious woodland canopy to shelter under. See summer flowers in full bloom, each attracting a kaleidoscope of butterflies, and spot a wealth of fledglings taking wing for the very first time.

Forests and woodlands truly are the lifeblood of our world, and in the UK we are lucky enough to be teeming with woodland trails. So, the time is now to don those walking boots, grab your water and see how much you can cover.

We’ve catalogued Britain’s best woodland walks, breaking them down by region. Just remember, the rules of the woods and forest apply, as we are only visitors to these vast wooded sanctuaries: walk slower, be quieter, basically be more tree.

And if you’re looking to stay amongst the foliage, take a look at our blog below:

Discover forest holidays across the UK

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South East

South West

South Coast

North West

North East

The Midlands

East England

South East

Epping Forest

Many a city dweller in London will find themselves heading out to the capital’s largest open space and into the woods and forest of Epping. Steeped in history and dating back to at least 1600, making it technically an ‘ancient woodland’, there is evidence that forests have swathed this area for the last 3,000 years.

Stretching over 12 miles, it is rumoured that legendary anti-hero Dick Turpin sited one of his hideouts here. Fear not though, as the trails no longer hold the risk of ‘hold up’, unless you count being accosted by a friendly dog as an interruption.

There’s so many trails to explore here, this Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) really is a walker’s playground. Try the Willow Trail, and marvel at the birdlife over Connaught Water including herons and swans.

Epping Forest contains some of the best woodland trails in the South East and is easily accessible by local transport. We just recommend that you take a map as decent sign posting is somewhat lacking.

Cottages near Epping

Ashdown Forest

Known as the home of Winnie the Pooh and Christopher Robin, Ashdown is one of the largest free public access spaces in the South East. Lose yourself in your imagination, as you envision the capers Piglet, Roo and Eeyore got up to on their walks in this forest.

Described as more of a heathland than a wood, when you’re here you won’t feel like you’re a mere 40 miles from London. This area is beautifully preserved and guarded by the Conservators of Ashdown Forest, who prevent the landscape from becoming littered with A. A. Milne commercialism. Indeed, there are not even any pubs, this is a true rural retreat that you’ll want to return to again and again.

Cottages near Ashdown Forest

South West

Forest of Dean

With 20 million trees covering an area of 204 square miles of Gloucestershire, the Forest of Dean is said to be the ‘Queen of Forests’. With its mighty oak, beech, ash and birch trees, along with Roman ruins studded here and there, it has an unparalleled beauty when compared to other UK forests, and to boot, it has some very nice woodland walks.

When you arrive, you might be lucky enough to enjoy an abundance of rhododendrons and azaleas, or maybe you’ll visit nearby Yat Rock and observe the majestic peregrine falcons, which have been protected for over 20 years under the watchful eye of the RSPB.

A must-visit is Puzzle Wood, where you could let the kids pretend to be hobbits protecting the precious, as it’s told that J.R.R. Tolkien spent time in the Forest of Dean, which gave him inspiration for his famed fantasy works.

Cottages near the Forest of Dean

Savernake Forest

This forest is a Wiltshire Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and contains some of the best Forestry Commission walks in the South West. Being the only ancient woodland to be privately owned, rather than owned by the Crown, the land has been passed down through over 30 generations. It’s also home to one of England’s oldest trees, the Big Bellied Oak, which would have observed King Harold’s defeat by William the Conqueror in 1066.

Spanning 4,500 acres and landscaped by Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown in the 18^th century, Savernake hosts some genuinely memorable trees. The beech and birch are beautiful but it is the plethora of oak that catches the eye, including the Saddle Oaks and the Spider Oak. Amble along Capability Brown’s Grand Avenue for an unforgettable scenic forest walk, which acts as a hub connecting many other trails throughout the woodland.

Cottages near Savernake Forest

Haldon Forest

Haldon Forest is a great choice of destination if you have lots of different curiosities to consider within your group. With three walking trails, four cycle trails, Segway tours and Go Ape to contemplate, rest assured that everyone is going to find something to pique their interest.

Boasting three SSSIs and covering 3,500 acres, it’s hard to believe that the hustle and bustle of Exeter is only 15 minutes away. Within minutes of arriving, your head will clear as you take in the expansive panoramic views before deciding on your walking route. There are paths for all abilities, which are colour-coded for your ease.

Cottages near Haldon Forest

South Coast

New Forest

The ‘Nova Foresta’, as it is described in the Doomsday Book of 1086, is a placed steeped in history from the defences built by King Henry VIII to its links with Alice Liddell, who inspired Lewis Caroll to pen his Alice in Wonderland adventures.

This is definitely a priority destination if you are after the best woodland walks, with over 140 miles of footpaths featuring rare wildlife and beautiful, natural sounds. With easy-to-follow routes showcasing a mixture of long- and short-distance trails, you’ll be spoiled for choice with the wild open heathland and secretive coastline perfectly complementing the ancient woodland.

Cottages in the New Forest

North West

Forest of Bowland

Visit another Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty in the Forest of Bowland, with its swathes of open moorland and quaint villages studded all over its landscape. If you are a fan of remote walking, then you are in luck as the exposed heathland offers serene isolation that couples beautifully with the undulating lowlands to give you a sense of tranquillity rarely found elsewhere.

Whilst traversing the 312 square miles of rural Lancashire, pay a visit to Barley, a village that has been occupied for 3,000 years. From here, tackle the imposing Pendle Hill and take in the unmatched vistas of the forest from the 577-metre summit.

Cottages in the Forest of Bowland

Delamere Forest

If you’re seeking nice forest walks in Cheshire, then seek no more. Delamere Forest is an ocean of calm a stone’s throw away from the busy skyline of Liverpool. This is a forest day out that the whole family can savour, with multiple walking and cycle trails, as well as Segway hire.

With hundreds of acres of coniferous woodland intertwined with accessible, surfaced paths and leafy tracks, it’s no wonder that this is one of the most popular local forest walks in the area. Your kids might even consider this to be one of the best forest walks in the UK once they see the Gruffalo sculpture in the deep, dark wood (Linmere trail). Meanwhile, the adults will appreciate the simple beauty of the green tunnel on the Sandstone Trail.

Cottages in Cheshire

Macclesfield Forest

Lying on the western edge of the Peak District, Macclesfield Forest is interspersed with reservoirs and moorland. This mixture of woodland and wetland creates a haven for wildlife lovers, with red deer and herons spotted regularly.

A large portion of the area has been designated a Site of Biological Importance, meaning walkers can enjoy the biodiversity safe in the knowledge that ecosystems are being protected.

Cottages in Cheshire

Gisburn Forest

Renowned more for its award-winning biking trails, don’t be put off donning your walking shoes and heading out for an amble at this North West gem. If you’re an avid wildlife watcher then Stocks Reservoir is the place for you: set off on the Stocks Circular Path to take in all the birdlife the reservoir has to offer.

All in all, there are six walking trails to try out, each displaying luscious greenery to make you think you’re walking through a fairy tale garden. The paths are clear of debris and the terrain is flat, giving the walks an overarching feeling of accessibility whilst also being rural enough to give you the sense of freedom you crave.

Pop back after sunset and marvel at the cosmos at the designated Dark Sky Discovery Site.

Cottages near Gisburn Forest

Grizedale Forest

At the heart of the Lake District World Heritage Site, Grizedale Forest is a bewitching leafy wonderland. There are forest trails that seem to go on forever, children’s play areas and spectacular sculptures dotted throughout this breathtaking woodland.

Choose from ten stunning trails, which take in the natural views of lakes and mountains, as well as approximately 50 man-made art concepts. Originally meaning Valley of the Pigs, Grizedale Forest is a perfect day out for you and your piglets.

Cottages in Grizedale

North East

Dalby Forest

A truly unique landscape that offers up a different experience every time you visit, Dalby Forest has a distinctive ‘rigg and dale’ topography created by glacial valleys to the south and upland forests to the north. With 13 different walking trails to choose from, including a Gruffalo Spotters trail for the little ones and also easy access routes, you’ll be well and truly spoiled for choice when you embark on a stroll in this North Yorkshire jewel.

You’ll spot some intriguing wildlife along the way to the world’s largest dry stone wall maze (still under construction at the time of writing) in the heart of the forest, and if you enjoy the woodlands at night, pop back after sundown and look up to be amazed by the sight of the Milky Way through the trees: such marvels being the reason Dalby earned its Dark Sky Discovery status.

Cottages near Dalby Forest

Hamsterley Forest

Spanning 2,000 hectares of diverse picturesque woodland, Hamsterley Forest is the largest forest in County Durham. Resting on the periphery of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, between the Wear and Tees Valleys, you’ll find four varied walking trails including a buggy-friendly route.

It's a haven for kids, with entertaining family events frequently taking place, including den building and bird feeding. There are also multiple play areas for young children, as well as Gruffalo sculptures studded throughout and the Gruffalo Spotters Trail to keep them amused.

Cottages in Hamsterley

Kielder Forest

Kielder is one of those forests you’d regret omitting if you didn’t visit it. Not only is it the largest forest in England, but it’s also home to England’s largest blanket bog area. Perhaps that doesn’t sound too tempting to visitors, but it’s great for the ecosystem; here you’ll find the country’s biggest remaining population of red squirrels (that’s right, the red ones!) as well as Northumberland’s only breeding osprey population.

There are some genuinely unique walking trails to discover, but before you take to the footpaths where you’ll find over 20 pieces of contemporary art to dazzle you, stop at Kielder Castle Visitor Centre and challenge your friends to find their way out of the Minotaur maze.

Tranquillity and serenity are in abundance when you take a stroll in Kielder Forest.

Cottages in Kielder

Midlands

Wyre Forest

When in Worcestershire, Wyre Forest is an ideal place to get outside for some fresh air and take in the natural surroundings in all their splendour. With three waymarked walking trails, as well as numerous other unnamed routes, Wyre will keep you and your family entertained and fit, especially when the kids realise there’s a Gruffalo orienteering course to partake in, not to mention the Gruffalo sculptures dotted throughout the woodland.

Explore the arboretum along the Buzzard Trail and find all manner of tree species in this wooded botanical garden, or head into the heart of the forest to find peace at some of the more remote spots.

Cottages near Wyre Forest

Sherwood Forest

Sometimes folklore and fact are difficult to distinguish: Sherwood is no exception. You’d have to go far and wide to find someone who hadn’t heard of the legend of Robin Hood, and this vast woodland makes the most of those iconic tales of its most famous resident.

A magical forest full of diverse wildlife, this Nottinghamshire forest sees 350,000 visitors a year and it’s easy to see why. Spanning 375 hectares, this National Nature Reserve boasts massive oaks that have been growing for over 500 years. Indeed, its most dendrologic tenant is the Major Oak which is said to be over 1,000 years old. This 23-tonne tree was rumoured to be the safe haven for Robin and his Merry Men, and whilst you can appreciate its grand beauty from a short distance, the sheer mass of foot traffic over the years means you can no longer walk up to it.

Cottages by Sherwood Forest

East England

Thetford Forest

Stretching across both Norfolk and Suffolk, Thetford Forest is an SSSI that covers nearly 19,000 hectares of heathland and woodland. Being the UK’s largest manmade lowland forest and also the largest pine forest in Great Britain, one visit probably isn’t going to cut it, so you’ll find yourself coming back again and again to discover new winding trails through dense foliage.

If you fancy some quiet reflection whilst spotting an array of birdlife, don’t miss out on Lynford arboretum, where the colours in late summer are outstanding.

Cottages near Thetford Forest

Rendlesham Forest

A deserved Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, Rendlesham Forest in Suffolk is a 1,500-hectare mixed woodland area sporting coniferous trees as well as broadleaved lines, wetlands and heathlands. With three waymarked walking routes, including an easy access trail and children’s play areas, this is a great multi-generational forest that will please the whole family.

Make sure you check out Tangham Wood and try to find all the hidden sculptures lying therein, before pausing for a picnic at one of the many stopping points.

Cottages near Rendlesham Forest

Forest holidays in the UK

Hopefully, it’s clear to see the benefits of our forests and the vast amount of enjoyment to be had in visiting woodland wonderlands. If you’re pining for a copse cottage holiday, then click below to discover some of our favourite cabins in the woods.

Forest holidays across the UK