Our verdict
One of the bigger, better-equipped woods in this batch, with its own dedicated car park and enough going on to keep a family occupied for a couple of hours. Shared with cyclists and horse riders on the main tracks, so keep dogs close on the busier routes.
A substantial 124-acre Forestry England wood on the northern edge of Swindon, planted with a mix of broadleaves and conifer that's now maturing into proper woodland. It's set up for visitors — waymarked tracks, a children's play area, fitness stations and routes for horses and cycles alongside walkers.
Public forest — open access on the tracks; mind working-forest signs.