Binneford Plantation

Deep in the Devon woods near Crediton, Binneford Plantation is one of those proper working forests that doesn't make a fuss about itself. You're walking through managed woodland - a mix of conifers and broadleaves - rather than a manicured country estate, which means it feels genuinely quiet and a bit wild in places.

The main draw here is straightforward: woodland walks on decent paths, plenty of shade, and the kind of peace you actually struggle to find these days. It's the real thing, not a tourist trap with a gift shop. You can spend a peaceful hour or two rambling about, spotting the occasional clearing or stream, depending on which route you take. The paths are well-trodden enough to follow without constant map-checking, though conditions vary with the seasons.

This suits walkers far more than anyone after a formal visitor experience. Families with young kids might find it a bit samey after an hour - there's no playground or tea shop to break things up - but older children who actually enjoy walking will be fine. It's free to access, which is a bonus.

If you're staying at Yeatheridge Farm Caravan Park just a few miles away, Binneford makes a decent morning or afternoon detour rather than a full-day destination. Pair it with a wander around Crediton itself - an actual market town with proper history - and you've got a solid half-day sorted. Go when the ground's not waterlogged; winter mud here is serious business.