Woodland Walks Near Me

Pucks Glen covers acres of land with ancient trees, a deep woodland gorge, and cascading waterfalls. If you follow a magical trail that winds along a Victorian walkway up the dramatic rocky gorge you may spot some mischievous spirits… This path will also lead you past several waterfalls beneath the towering Douglas firs.

During your visit, remember to keep a sharp eye – you might just spot the mystical Ghillie Dhu! Fear not, the Ghillie is an ancient male fairy who looks out for children who wander the forest.

Kids can build dens, spot wildlife, and climb hills, and the walking trails are dog-friendly too!

This one’s more of a road-side walk than a woodland but you’ll understand why we’ve added this magnificent landscape to our list…

Featured in the Game of Thrones, this creepy-looking road stretches 0.6 miles between the villages of Armoy and Stranocum. Filled with beautiful curving beech trees, an atmospheric tunnel is created, leaving those who pass under it feeling as if they have landed in the centre of an ancient fairytale.

The beech trees were planted in the 18th century and are believed to be between 300 – 350 years old. The Dark Hedges are one of many landscape hotspots for photographers and families.

Castlewellan Forest Park covers 450 hectares of land lying north of the Mourne Mountains. This majestic woodland is the perfect place for outdoor activities like camping and touring, walking, cycling, horse riding, fishing on the lake, canoeing and orienteering! It’s also home to the world’s largest hedge mazes! Can you spot the Victorian castle in the distance too? There’s heaps of land and attractions to explore at Castlewellan Forest Park!

There is a privately owned rental shop (The Grange Yard) and a coffee shop onsite too. The Grange Coffee House opens daily from 1 May to 30 September and at weekends from 1 April to mid-November. The Grange Yard rents out mountain bikes, e-bikes & canoes!

Castlewellan Forest Park is a beautiful walk all year round but its vibrant nature really (and rather ironically) comes to life in the autumn. You can see a wide variety of tree species, both coniferous and broadleaved, with a rich and striking display of autumn colours.

Who doesn’t love a good old sculpture or two? Hamsterley Forest is one of a handful of UK forests that have the Gruffalo Trail! There are lots of great photo opportunities alongside fantastic views and walking trails.

If there was one word to describe Hamsterley Forest it would be peaceful. Families can escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life at County Durham’s largest forest. From wildlife watching to stargazing, and adventure play for all the family to exhilarating mountain biking, there is something to keep everyone happy. Psst, it’s dog-friendly too!

Turn your hand to geo coaching! Take part in the world’s largest treasure hunt and utilise GPS technology to locate and find hidden objects. If you have the need for adventure in your bones and like to embrace challenges, geo coaching is a unique activity that’s perfect for you.

If you are after something a bit more straightforward, take a peaceful wander through the trees. Hamsterley has an extensive network of trails and paths providing the perfect opportunity for you to explore the heart of the forest.

Listed in the Doomsday Book of 1086, this ancient and peaceful wood is a dog-friendly haven full of tall trees and lush landscapes.

Families can enjoy acres of woodland in the walking trails, spotting beautiful flower displays and a diverse range of wildlife. You can expect to see foxes, deer, badgers and many woodland birds, cuckoos, woodpeckers, and wood pigeons on your travels. Don’t forget to wear your wellies – there are some seriously tempting ponds to splash around in!

The country woodland park is neither big nor small but a great size for smaller children with just enough land to explore.

It’s time to roll out the carpet for this ancient, royal forest! Macclesfield Forest was originally created by the Normans to provide an area to hunt deer, wild boar and wolves. Today it is known for appreciating its dazzling array of wildlife as well as the stunning sights of the Trentabank Reservoir.

Can you spot the heron nests? Home to Cheshire’s largest heronry with around 22 nests, Macclesfield Forest is a haven for all creatures great and small. Sharpen your eyesight with a pair of binoculars and search for waterfowl and honey fungus. Make sure to take a snap of the abundant bluebells too!

Follow colour-waymarked trails and familiarise yourself with the nature around you. Each trail is a different length, so whatever your ability or preference, there’s an ideal trail for you! Once you’ve found your way to the Trentabank Reservoir, you can enjoy a lovely picnic beside the calming water – a great way to finish off your day!

There are a fair few ancient forests in the UK but Sherwood Pines is the most famous. This historic woodland set the scene for one of the UK’s most famous tales, Robin Hood. It is a hive of energy, storytelling and utter magic.

Pick from multiple walking routes in this 3,300-acre forest. Whether it’s spectacular mountain hikes and sheltered pinewood trails or quiet streamside paths and short play trails, you’re never far from a great walk. Try out other walking routes like Archer’s Stroll, Nightjar Trail or the Ranger’s Path!

Head to the bike rental shack, borrow a plump pair of wheels and head for the hills! Go big or go home with the Outlaw Red Trail – it’s a whopping 9 miles. Check out the advanced dirt jump and downhill area and learn different stunts. Whether you’re an adrenaline-filled mountain biker or you prefer a relaxing cycle session with beautiful views, there’s something fun for everyone.

When was the last time you saw a fallow deer? Small, dark and shy these calm creatures aren’t always easy to spot – so keep your eyes peeled! During your outdoor adventure, you will also stumble across many other woodland wildlife like Rabbits, Voles, Shrews, Hedgehogs, Stoats, Weasel, Foxes, Badgers, Pipistrelle bats and Noctule bats.

Quite easily one of the most mesmerising locations on our list, the immaculate country park grounds at Kedleston Hall provide a variety of National Trust trails that are perfect for your little ones & your four-legged friends too!

There are lots of lovely woodland walks to try out at Kedleston Hall. Will it be the Wilderness Walk (2.6 miles), Lakeside Walk (2 miles) or some of the Long or Short Walks (3.2 miles/1.7 miles)? If you follow the path of The Wilderness walk you’ll discover the most natural part of the parkland. Located on the north side of the lake, this walk is a mixture of pasture, and woods and is home to the oldest Veteran tree in Derbyshire! The route includes uneven ground and passes through the grazing cattle!

If you want to see some wildlife then the Lakeside walk would be perfect for you. See swans, geese, oystercatchers, herons and coots – you might even spot a hare in the grasslands if you’re lucky! Sheep and cows graze along the entire route too. There are multiple benches along the way and the path is fairly flat throughout.

The Long and Short Walks form part of Robert Adam’s pleasure grounds and were originally designed for the enjoyment of ladies. This heavenly spot offers views across the parkland stretching to the rolling Derbyshire countryside.

This 18th-century hall also offers summer activities too! From archery sessions, orienteering and family picnics, to nature-spotting, and a “50 things'” list for kids to tick off!

This majestic forest in Wales has a lot to offer. Whether it’s glamping, adventure playgrounds, cycling trails, walking trails, fishing spots or the blooming wildlife that surrounds the area. It’s an idyllic spot to go on a woodland walk!

Set in the heart of the South Wales valleys, Cwm Carn Forest has some of the best walking trails in Wales. Choose from trails under a mile or up to nine miles – there are trails for all abilities to enjoy. Take part in the Cwmcarn Wildlife Explorer Challenge and win a certificate at the end – it’s great material for show & tell, am I right kids? And if you’re feeling tired there’s always the option to stay over in one of the adorable glamping pods onsite!

Adrenaline junkies will love all of the outdoor activities on offer with Caerphilly Adventures. Get stuck into epic biking trails, paddleboarding, archery, and other fun sports.

Now, if there’s any woodland walk you’ll want to add to your bucket list, it’s going to be this one. The Forest of Dean Sculpture Trail is one of the most beautiful, creative and magical experiences for families.

For 35 years the Forest of Dean has had artistic and ethereal sculptures hidden amongst the ash, beech, birch holly, and sweet chestnut trees. Take shelter under the Plastic Pavillion! It’s a rainbow of technicolour, beams through the trees. Did you see those tiny moss hands? Take a peek at the Tree Hug sculpture and see how many tiny hands you can spot wrapped around the trees.

One of the most beautiful sculptures is The Cathedral Piece. Hanging in suspension above the trail path, you’ll feel as if you are a character in a mystical tale. See how the light catches in the stained glass? It acts as a window connecting the concepts of two separate spaces, the ‘forest’ and the ‘cathedral’. Watch out for the Shovel Bugs! Bright red bugs climb the trees like something from a wacky sci-fi scene.

The sculptures celebrate forest wildlife, flora and fauna and present a diversity of voices, with artists from the UK and overseas contributing their art to the trail. Fun fact: One of the sculptures was created by a father and his 9-year-old daughter!

A great adventure play area awaits your little explorers (under 12) in the very middle of the forest. There you’ll find swings, slides, wooden climbing frames and even a challenging ropes trail. Want to bring the adrenaline levels up a notch? Visit Go Ape Wendover and climb 40ft up in the tree canopy!

Do you enjoy a good view? Wendover Woods offers magnificent views across Aylesbury Vale. In the mixed woodland, you can spot a wide variety of birds, including the rare Firecrest. So, a pair of binoculars and a camera might come in handy!

Looking for a fun trail? Try out the new Superworm Trail on your woodland adventure. See what amazing facts you can discover about the small but mighty creatures in the much-loved Superworm story. You should also check out the Hill Fort trail! It’s an easy circular route trail with spectacular views of the Chilterns.