Backs Wood

A proper woodland walk rather than a manicured tourist trap, Backs Wood sits on the outskirts of Tiverton and delivers what you'd hope from a Devon forest - tall trees, quiet paths, and the occasional surprise clearing. The wood itself is unremarkable on paper, but that's rather the point. You're here to walk, to listen to birdsong that actually matters because you're not surrounded by other visitors, and to remember why people banged on about English woodlands before Instagram discovered them.

Walkers will get the most from this. Families with restless toddlers might find an hour enough before the novelty of trees wears thin, but older kids who can manage a proper ramble will appreciate the space to run ahead without you losing sight of them. There's no information board to tell you what you're looking at, no café selling overpriced coffee - just forest and footpaths.

The nearest facilities are in Tiverton, a market town with the usual shops and places to eat, though nothing wildly exciting. If you're staying at Nirvana Glamping nearby, this makes for a straightforward morning or late afternoon outing when you can't face a bigger expedition. It won't be the highlight of your trip, but it's the sort of place that resets your head after a couple of days of driving round Devon's more crowded spots. Allow a couple of hours if you're being thorough, less if you're just stretching your legs.