Conygore Wood

The woodland around Conygore doesn't announce itself - you're just suddenly walking between tall pines and scattered deciduous trees, the light filtering through in that particular way that makes you feel properly small. It's a proper forest walk rather than a manicured nature trail, which is exactly what makes it worth the journey from Taunton.

You get a real mix of tree types here, and the ground cover changes depending on where you wander - some sections are mossy and damp, others open enough that you can see between the trees for a decent distance. It's the kind of place where you can actually hear birdsong without road noise in the background, which says something given how close Taunton is.

This works well for anyone who wants a proper forest experience without the tourist crowds. Families with kids who are past the "carry them on your shoulders" stage will do fine here - just bring decent boots because it gets muddy. History types won't find ruins or interpretive boards, but there's something in the atmosphere that hints at how these woods have stood here for centuries.

It's an easy pairing with a stay at Waterrow Touring Park, only 3.6 miles away. Give yourself at least an hour and a half for a decent walk, longer if you're the type to stop and just sit for a bit. Come when it's not raining if you can - the ground drains poorly in places.