Alder Croft

Deep in Devon's countryside just outside Exeter, Alder Croft is a proper woodland walk through mixed broadleaf forest - the kind of place where you forget the city's only twenty minutes away. It's not dramatic or showy. No waterfalls, no viewpoint cafes, just trees and the sound of the path beneath your feet. The alder and oak create a decent canopy, so it's genuinely pleasant even on grey days, and the understory is thick enough to feel genuinely enclosed.

Walkers after a straightforward two to three-hour loop will get the most from this. Families with youngsters who enjoy spotting insects and birds will find it worthwhile too - the forest floor's alive with activity if you pay attention. It's also a solid choice if you're basing yourself at Cuckoo Down Farm Glamping nearby; a quick drive gets you into proper woodland without the tourist infrastructure.

I'd go in spring when everything's unfurling, or autumn when the light comes through differently. Summer can feel a bit airless under the heavy canopy. Bring decent boots - it can get boggy near the water features. There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so come prepared. Worth the detour if you're after genuine woodland rather than a beauty spot, though don't expect anything that'll knock your socks off. It's honest forestry, and that's enough.