Savernake Forest near Marlborough, Wiltshire, offers 4500 acres of magnificent native trees, both young and old. Many are very old, and at around 1000 years old, the Big Bellied Oak claims to be one of the oldest in England - a young sapling around the time of the Battle of Hastings, it now it stands with an impressive 11m girth. In fact, it got so big, that in 2002, a corset was fitted to stop it splitting in half.

Legend tells that the devil will appear at midnight to anyone dancing naked around the Big Belly Oak, 12 times anticlockwise.

Tall beeches planted beside forest roads

Criss-crossed by tracks and avenues, this privately owned forest, managed by the Forestry Commission, is freely accessible to walkers although there are no public rights of way. The area is large enough for long walks of up to 10 miles.

The forest was first recorded in Saxon Charters in 934AD, and following the Norman Conquest in 1066 it passed into the care of the Norman Knight, Richard Esturmy. It was passed down through his family for 31 generations and for over 1000 years.

Fancy a totally relaxing and contemplative break with a bit of gentle exercise on the side? Then the Oxford Canal Walk is well worth considering.

This trail runs between the cathedral cities of Coventry and Oxford, through the peaceful Warwickshire and North Oxfordshire countryside and the market town of Banbury. It follows the canal for 77 miles and the flat towpath is easy walking, in fact the only climbing done is by the canal boats passing through the locks!