With summer upon us in these unsure time it is difficult to find a safe and affordable day out that the whole family will enjoy. I have lived in Somerset for 18 years and it was only a few months ago that I discovered the enchanting gem that is just 17 miles away from my door.

So one dry sunny day I threw the family in the car and off we went, we arrived just over half a hour later and paid just £2 to park all day and we embarked on a 2 mile trek around the utterly beautiful woods.

The children had great fun climbing trees, looking under rocks for insects and generally running wild. I was awestruck at the beauty of nature, the wildflowers in a huge variety of colours and scents, the towering trees, the birdsong I could hear in the background.

After our walk we found a beautiful picnic area complete with a babbling brook, despite the number of families that were also at the picnic area we had plenty of space to enjoy our surroundings.

So if you want to escape the chaos and stress of every day life and be transported to a magical place of outstanding beauty that children of and adults of all ages will enjoy then you need to venture to Great Wood. Be sure to pack a picnic with plenty of water and wear comfortable shoes. Enjoy the fresh air and forget your worries.

Great Wood, Adscombe Lane, over Stowey, Bridgewater, TA5 1HN