Our verdict
The best all-rounder of this batch: proper ancient woodland rather than a scrap of plantation, with meadows to break it up and enough ground to make a real walk of it. Gets very muddy after rain, so boots rather than trainers.
A 95-acre reserve comprising the largest surviving piece of the ancient Braydon Forest — Ravensroost Wood itself plus its flower-rich meadows and Avis Meadows. There's a small car park with a picnic bench, and bike racks for anyone arriving on the Wiltshire Cycleway.
Wiltshire Wildlife Trust reserve — free to explore on foot; many are dog-free to protect wildlife.