Balman's Wood

You'll find yourself walking into proper Devon woodland the moment you enter Balman's Wood near Tiverton - the kind of place where the canopy gets thick enough that you forget what season it is. It's a straightforward forest walk rather than a managed attraction with bells and whistles, which means no visitor centre, no marked trails in the obvious sense, and absolutely no entry fees.

The wood works best for people who actually enjoy being among trees without needing constant signposting or interpretation boards. Families with older kids will get more out of it than toddlers - the ground's uneven in places and there's proper woodland to navigate rather than manicured paths. If you're staying at Nirvana Glamping down the road, it's a decent half-hour ramble to stretch your legs, though I wouldn't plan a whole day around it.

Timing-wise, spring's lovely for bluebells if you're lucky, and autumn's crisp. Summer can feel a bit damp and dark under the canopy. Allow an hour if you're taking it slowly, less if you just want a quick circuit.

The honest take: Balman's Wood is the sort of place you visit because it's nearby and you fancy a walk, not because it's a destination in itself. It does exactly what it says - offers woodland - and does it well enough. Worth popping into if you're based at the glamping site, but don't make a special trip unless you're genuinely into forest walking.