Black-a-Tor Copse National Nature Reserve

The woodland here sits on the edge of Dartmoor proper, a few miles south of Okehampton, and it's genuinely worth the slight detour if you're camping at Lydford or anywhere nearby. Black-a-Tor Copse is a proper little nature reserve - small enough that you won't need more than an hour to explore it properly, but interesting enough to make that hour worthwhile.

What you get is mature woodland with some real character. The trees are dense in places, and there's decent woodland flora if you know what to look for - good for bird spotters and anyone interested in native broadleaf woodland. It's the kind of place where you might see redstarts or wood warblers if you time it right, which means spring and early summer are your best bets.

The walking is gentle rather than challenging. There are paths through the trees, but nothing that'll have you gasping for breath. Families with children will manage fine, though younger kids might get a bit restless if they're expecting more dramatic Dartmoor scenery.

It's free to visit, which is always a bonus. Don't expect facilities - there's nowhere to buy a coffee or ice cream, so sort yourself out in Okehampton beforehand. The reserve works well as a morning wander before heading elsewhere on the moor, rather than a destination in itself. If you're staying at Lydford Caravan & Camping Park, it's close enough for a casual day out without eating up half your holiday time.