Bridford Wood

The moment you step into Bridford Wood, you're swallowed by proper ancient woodland - the kind where sunlight barely reaches the forest floor and the air feels about ten degrees cooler than it was in Exeter just down the road. This mixed forest spreads across the Teign Valley, offering a network of walking trails that range from gentle woodland strolls to more ambitious hikes through beech and oak trees that have stood for centuries.

It's the sort of place walkers genuinely prefer to more manicured attractions. The woodland floor is soft underfoot, paths are reasonably well-maintained, and there's a genuine sense of stepping away from things. Families with older kids will find enough variety to hold attention for a couple of hours - younger children might get restless if they're not already keen on spotting wildlife and picking up interesting twigs.

Bring proper footwear; it can get boggy after rain, and tree roots demand respect. Allow two to three hours depending on which loops you choose. The wood sits perfectly within a wider park holiday in the area - Sunsets & Marshmallows Glamping is barely twenty minutes away, as is Barley Meadow Touring Park if you're after a more conventional base. Spring brings bluebells across the forest floor. Autumn is equally good if you like the crunch and drama of leaf fall. Winter can be slippery but rewards you with clearer sightlines through the trees.