Bray Reservoir

Water laps against the banks quietly here, and the moorland rises up around you in proper Devon fashion. Bray Reservoir sits inland from Lynton, a calm stretch that catches the light differently depending on the time of day - grey one minute, almost turquoise the next. There's a walking path that traces the shoreline, nothing too strenuous, which gives you views across the water to the hills beyond. It's the sort of place where you can spend forty minutes or three hours depending on your mood.

Walkers will find it useful - straightforward and free, with decent photo opportunities if you're into that kind of thing. Families with younger kids get about an hour of proper exploration before the novelty wears thin, though older children who like a bit of solitude tend to get more from it. The moorland setting appeals to serious ramblers planning longer loops through the area.

Bray works best as a stop-off rather than a destination in itself. If you're staying at Lynmouth Holiday Retreat or the luxury spots at Longlands Farmhouse, both within striking distance, you could easily tack this onto a morning walk without much effort. The reservoir connects to broader paths that drift deeper into Devon's inland terrain, so it's handy for piecing together a decent day out on foot. Go early if you want to avoid the car park filling up on weekends. No facilities that I could spot, so bring what you need.