Bellview Plantation

Walking into Bellview Plantation feels like stepping into someone's private woodland - dense, quiet, and properly atmospheric. This forest sits just inland from Sidmouth, and it's the sort of place that rewards a slow wander rather than a quick march through. The trees tower overhead, creating that soft green light you only get when you're surrounded by old growth, and the paths wind through a mixture of native woodland and managed plantation, with enough shelter that you can visit even when it's drizzling.

It's ideal for anyone who wants a decent walk without the moorland exposure - families with young legs will appreciate the gentler gradients compared to some of the wilder terrain around here, and if you've got older kids who actually enjoy quiet, they'll find it peaceful rather than boring. Bring a camera if you're into woodland photography, because the light filtering through the canopy is genuinely lovely, and the stillness means you'll spot wildlife if you're patient.

How long you spend here depends entirely on your pace. A leisurely two-hour amble through the main paths gets you a proper sense of the place without feeling rushed. It's free to visit, which is a bonus - no ticket booths or car park fees to worry about. Winter and spring are best, when the undergrowth is less dense and you can see further into the trees.

Stay at either Cuckoo Down Farm Glamping or Oakdown just up the road, both within five miles, and Bellview works perfectly as a morning outing before heading down to Sidmouth's seafront in the afternoon. It's not dramatic or showy, but that's rather the point.