The best forest and woodland walks in the UK

At the end of January, just one month into 2018, London’s air pollution reached the legal limit for the entire year.

Surprisingly, this is a massive improvement on recent years as it usually takes us just a week into the year to reach the limit.

While we love living in London, it is undoubtedly polluted and so sometimes it’s nice to head out into the woods or forest and breathe in some fresh, clean air.

To do so, we’ve rounded up some of the best forest and woodland walks you can do in the UK.

1. Cardinham Woods, Cornwall

The babbling streams and short strolls around Cardinham Woods are especially enchanting as the weather gets warmer. You can walk around Lady Vale Bridge or walk uphill to the old lead and silver mine of Wheal Glynn.

2. Sydenham Hill Wood, London

The largest remaining tract of the old Great North Wood, Sydenham Hill Wood houses an old railway track that you can follow to a disused tunnel (now popular with bats).

3. Grizedale, Cumbria

A rather strenuous uphill hike will reward you with spectacular mountain views. You can climb the highest point in the area, Carron Crag where you’ll see panoramic views to Lakeland Fells. You’ll also find easier walks along a stream.

4. Kielder Forest, Northumberland

If you’re a fan of star-gazing (who isn’t?) then the Kielder Forest is said to be home to the darkest skies in England, perfect for basking in the glow of our galaxy. However, the forest is just as gorgeous to walk through during the day so make sure you strap on your hiking boots and watch out for squirrels – over half of England’s red squirrel population live within this forest.

5. Hackfall Wood, North Yorkshire

Hackfall Wood is technically a Grade I listed garden, created by 18th Century landscaper John Aislabie. You will find waterfalls and fountains scattered across the woodland landscape and, if you’re feeling like a trek, you can undertake the 17.5 mile Aislabie Walk.

6. Hatfield Forest, Essex

Within these woods you will find over 3,500 species of wildlife making it Britain’s best-surviving medieval royal hunting forest. What’s more is many of the trees are over 1,000 years old.

7. Ashdown Forest, East Sussex

This forest was A. A. Milne’s inspiration for Winnie the Pooh’s Five Hundred Acre Wood – so you know it’s going to be special. You can take yourself on one of two ‘Pooh walks’ from Gills Lap or traverse the Forest Archaeology Walk where you can see WWI trenches.

8. Hamsterley Forest, Durham

A peaceful haven, one of the easiest routes is the Riverside Trail which runs along Bedburn Beck to Low Redford.

9. Puzzlewood, Gloucestershire

Said to have inspired JRR Tolkien’s forests in Middle Earth, the enchanting Puzzlewood is filled with secret caves, mossy rocks and hidden doorways.

10. Ashridge Estate, Hertfordshire

The setting for the Angelina Jolie film Maleficent, this estate sits on 2,000 hectares of the Chiltern Hills. Spring is the best time to visit as the ground is blanketed in bluebells.