Capton Wood

The forest floor at Capton Wood squelches underfoot - proper boggy in places - which is exactly what you want when you're after a genuine woodland walk near Totnes. It's not a manicured attraction with signs and a visitor centre. What you get instead is ancient Devon woodland doing what it does best: growing thick, growing dark, growing quiet.

Walking through here feels like stepping back a few centuries. The trees are substantial and densely packed, the canopy blocks out most of the sky, and the paths wind through ferns and moss-covered stumps that honestly look like they've been undisturbed for ages. You won't find crowds, which is the whole point. Bring proper boots though - trainers will leave your feet damp and miserable.

It's brilliant for walkers and anyone who actually enjoys forests rather than just photographing them. Kids who can handle mud and don't need a gift shop at the end will find it interesting enough for a couple of hours, though they might get restless if you're planning a long ramble. History enthusiasts should know that Devon's woodlands like this one are fragments of what used to cover the entire region, so there's something quite moving about that context.

If you're staying at South Bay Holiday Park - which is five miles away and frankly not the most inspiring base - Capton Wood makes for a solid morning escape. No facilities to speak of, so pack what you need. Free to access and genuinely worth the detour if moody woodland is your thing.