Best woodland walks

Forest walks for the whole family

From family-friendly forest parks to less-trodden ancient woodlands, here are the best woodland walks in the UK which are not to be missed.

Grizedale Forest, Lake District

The Lake District is well known for its gorgeous scenery, and the woodland walks at Grizedale Forest in particular have some of the best you’ll find.

Located between the lakes Windermere and Coniston, the Silurian Way is arguably the ultimate Grizedale walk. You’ll stroll down an entire side of the valley, only to hike your way back up on the other side. Sometimes the path direction can be misleading, but this all adds to the adventure; especially when you know you’re going to be reaching the highest point of the forest at Carron Crag.

Wade Wood, Halifax, West Yorkshire

From ancient inhabitants to ancient habitats; the shape of Wade Wood in the Luddenden Dean at Calder Valley, West Yorkshire, was formed more than 30,000 years ago – with valleys left after the last Ice Age. As you stroll amongst the woodpeckers and deer, you’ll notice that the land remains untouched by man – apart from some holly hedges which run along an ancient fence line.

Wade Wood and the neighbouring Jerusalem Farm include 13 hectares of nature reserve for you to explore, and after a delightful walk in the wonderful landscape you can tuck into some grub and enjoy a pint at the cosy Timothy Taylors pub, the Car I’th Well, when you reach the top of the valley.

Glentress Forest, Peebles, Scotland

This lovely little town – which boasts the slogan ‘Peebles for Pleasure’ – has a reputation for its delightful independent shops and cafés. However, it’s also a must-visit for woodland walkers and mountain bikers, who can’t get enough of the nearby trails at Glentress Forest.

There are a number of sign-posted trails in the forest, such as the the Buzzards Nest Trail, where you can enjoy the view of Peebles from Cardie Hill.

Puzzlewood, Gloucestershire

This place, as you can probably guess from the name, is a little out of the ordinary. If you’re looking for a woodland walk that can transport you and the family into a green world of ancient trees, Puzzlewood in Gloucestershire is perfect. The maze of forest and paths is complete with rope bridges and big boulders, ensuring the kids will have an amazing action-packed day. Puzzlewood is also said to have been where JRR Tolkien found his inspiration for Middle-Earth. Check opening times before you visit. 

New Forest, Hampshire

The best part of having an entire forest to roam is that it’s almost impossible to exhaust it, and this is certainly the case at Hampshire’s New Forest. With a National Park area covering 219 square miles (as well as an SSSI area of 120 square miles), it’s enormous; in fact, it’s the largest contiguous area of unsown vegetation in lowland Britain.

Whether you stroll through Buckler’s Hard or Beaulieu, Lymington or Exbury Gardens, you’ll never be disappointed. There’s plenty of wildlife here, from snakes and squirrels to ponies and pigs. If you’re looking to extend your walk, the path across Acres Down (to the north) is a particular highlight, as it’s one of the only places it’s possible to see a European honey buzzard.

​Hainault Forest, Essex

You might think that those living in the big city will struggle getting out into woodland nature. Actually, Londoners have plenty of nearby walks to enjoy, and Hainault Forest in Essex is the perfect example. You can even travel to it on the tube!

Covering more than 330 acres, this stretch of land is now one of the last remaining parts of the medieval ‘Forest of Essex’ – a former Royal hunting ground.  Some of this route follows the 59 miles (95 km) Three Forests Way if you’re looking for a challenging trek.

Dolgoch Falls, Gwynedd

We’ll finish up our list in Wales, at the delightful Dolgoch Falls. Three waterfalls near Tywyn in Gwynedd, this area of Dolgoch is part of the Nant Dol-gôch stream, which flows into the Afon Fathew. If you’re travelling on the Talyllyn Railway, make sure you get off at Dolgoch station and take this woodland walk. The sound of the rushing water as you stroll is very relaxing!

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Walking in woodland is one of the best ways to connect with nature and you’ll be surprised at how many there are across the UK, even in cities. Find and follow your nearest woodland walk with OS Maps with a free trail. 

For more inspiration, our friends at holidaycottages.co.uk reveal their best spectacular autumn scenes in British woodlands.