Furzeacre Wood

The woodland walks around Furzeacre Wood, just inland from Plymouth, offer proper escape without needing to drive far. It's not dramatic - no gorges or waterfalls - but that's rather the point. You get mixed broadleaf forest, the kind where light filters through beech and oak, and the paths are well-trodden enough not to lose you but quiet enough that you'll mostly have the place to yourself.

I'd allow an hour to ninety minutes for a decent circuit. The ground can be damp even days after rain, so proper footwear matters. There's genuine appeal for families with primary-school kids - short enough to hold their attention, trees to explore, the occasional stream to poke about in. Walkers based at Hidden Hill Devon's glamping sites - only 5 miles or so west - will find this a reliable half-day outing between bigger adventures.

What makes it work is the straightforwardness. No car park fees, no gates, no visitor centre selling overpriced sandwiches. You turn up, walk, come back. The views don't interrupt the walking - there's no "stop and stare" moment - but that means you're in the rhythm of the forest rather than posing for photos. It's the kind of place to clear your head rather than tick off a bucket list item. Worth the detour? Only if you're based nearby. Otherwise, Plymouth's waterfront will give you more bang for your time.