Explore countryside and woodland
Get closer to nature and explore hundreds of outdoor places. We've got miles of hillsides and woodland waiting to be discovered.
Top free places to visit
Did you know that many places we care for are free to access? From the oasis of green at Morden Hall Park in urban south London to the little wilderness at Downs Banks in Staffordshire, discover the top free places to visit.
We'll continue to add to this list when more offers arise, but please check the local place homepages for more information before you visit.
- Aberdulais, Neath Port Talbot
- The River Dulais charges through a gorge and becomes a cascade at the former tin works at Aberdulais. A water wheel with a diameter of almost 27 feet (8.2m) harnessed its power during the Industrial Revolution and can be seen on site. In wet weather, the waterfall's a powerful spectacle. On calmer days, it offers food and refreshment to a colony of Daubenton bats, dippers, wagtails and herons. There's a free car park nearby.Visit Aberdulais
- Botallack, Cornwall
- Botallack sits high above Cornwall’s wild Tin Coast, the Crowns engine houses clinging to the foot of the cliffs below. It's part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site and was used as a filming location for the Poldark TV series. Explore the remains of Cornwall's industrial past here, including the 19th-century Count House that was used as a folk club in the 1960s and now houses a café and visitor centre, or head out along the coastal path for a bracing walk and panoramic views.Visit Botallack
- Cape Cornwall, Cornwall
- Jutting out into the ocean, not far from St Just, is the distinctive headland of Cape Cornwall. Once a heavily industrialised landscape, it's now part of the Cornish Mining World Heritage Site, which a 19th-century chimney stack bears testament to. It's a wild and rugged spot, with many seabirds nesting on nearby Brisons rocks. Join the coastal path for Sennen to the south or Pendeen Watch to the north. A café here sells refreshments from March to October.Visit Cape Cornwall
- Chirk Castle Estate, Wrexham
- The 480-acre estate at Chirk Castle is free to enter, although please note that the 13th-century castle and its gardens do have an entrance fee. In the estate, many of the oak trees are hundreds of years old and are covered in species of lichens, liverworts and mosses. The estate is a Site of Special Scientific Interest and is also home to rare bats. A well-preserved section of Offa’s Dyke connects with the estate. Parking at the castle is free.Visit Chirk Castle Estate
- Divis and the Black Mountain, County Antrim
- For spectacular views across to Belfast, hike up Divis and the Black Mountain, past heath and blanket bog. It’s a challenging three-mile (4.8km) trek to the summit. The Ridge Trail is a moderate, circular alternative, which is 4.2 miles (6.7 km) long. The Lough Trail, meanwhile, is also circular but an easier track – look out for meadow pipits, stonechats, skylarks and snipes along the way. Cyclists can use the tarmac paths too. There's free parking across two car parks.Visit Divis and the Black Mountain
- Downs Banks, Staffordshire
- The little wilderness is a blend of heath and woodland, with a brook running alongside and far-reaching views. From the Millennium Viewpoint, you can see across three counties to the ruins of Mow Cop Castle in Staffordshire, the Clee Hills in Shropshire, the plateau of Long Mynd in Shropshire and the Wrekin in Shropshire, a hill formed from an extinct volcano. You might spot a kingfisher down by the brook and young brown trout too. There's free parking nearby but please note there are limited spaces.Visit Downs Banks
- Kinver Edge, Staffordshire
- The high sandstone ridge of Kinver Edge is home to heathland full of gorse and purple heather. It’s also where you can see the Holy Austin Rock Houses, which are homes that were carved straight into the hillside and lived in until the 1960s. These aren't free to enter but if you continue along the ridge there are dramatic views and the defensive walls of an Iron Age Hill Fort. It’s a great spot for a picnic, plus there are miles of walking trails. There's free lay-by parking nearby.Visit Kinver Edge
- Morden Hall Park, London
- Morden Hall Park is an oasis of green within urban south London. There are snuff mills, iron bridges that cross the River Wandle and a cast-iron wheel to see on the estate. There's also a play area for children and a boardwalk through wetland. The Rose Garden has heritage varieties and plants can be bought in our only garden centre. There's free parking for 1.5 hours or arrive by public transport.Visit Morden Hall Park
- Penrose, Cornwall
- Loe Pool at Penrose is Cornwall's largest natural lake – a tranquil body of freshwater surrounded by farmland and woodland. The estate has 17 miles of trails to explore on foot or by bike, many of which are dog-friendly. The lake is a popular site for over-wintering birds and it meets Loe Bar, a shingle beach that’s the final resting place of many shipwrecks. There's also a wet woodland at Willow Carr and an 18th century Kitchen Garden. A free public car park is nearby.Visit Penrose
- Pin Mill, Suffolk
- With peaceful views across the River Orwell, Pin Mill is the setting for two books in the Swallows and Amazons series, written by Arthur Ransome. You can watch boats glide past on a circular walk that starts in Pin Mill woods. You’ll pass a pine plantation, then wildlife-rich heathland before continuing above the Orwell, with views overlooking the river. When you're back beside the river bed, look out for abandoned cargo ships and listen for the call of a curlew. Public parking is available nearby.Visit Pin Mill
- Rayleigh Mount, Essex
- The land at Rayleigh Mount was shaped by the Sheriff of Essex, who had an early medieval, wooden motte and bailey castle built here. The castle is now long gone but the area remains a haven for wildlife within Rayleigh town centre. Follow the footpaths and discover where the castle moat once was. There are views across the Crouch Valley and to Rayleigh’s Grade II-listed windmill. There’s a train station a short walk away.Visit Rayleigh Mount
- Winchester City Mill, Hampshire
- This ancient watermill lies in the heart of Winchester and is one of the oldest in the UK. It's a rare surviving example of an urban corn mill and is undergoing a restoration project in 2026. There's a café, with an island garden, plus wildlife to spot, including kingfishers, grey wagtails, wild trout and water voles. Watch our city otters from regularly updated footage and view the live feed from our cameras along the river. Visit by using public transport.Visit Winchester City Mill
You might also be interested in
Hill and mountain walks
Explore a range of memorable and historic hill and mountain trails across the UK. There's something for everyone, from seasoned adventurers to relaxed ramblers and nature lovers to family groups.
Where to go forest bathing
Forest bathing is a mindfulness practice developed in Japan that has gained popularity in the UK. It involves being immersed in nature and using sight, smell and touch to slow down the mind and relax.
Facts about fungi
Fungi play a vital role in the natural world, helping break down organic woodland material as part of the decomposition process. Learn all you need to know about these important organisms.
Top ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’ activities in autumn
Autumn opens up a world of new adventures. Discover the best activities for children from our list of ‘50 things to do before you’re 11¾’, including tips on winning at conkers and building dens.
