Gib Park Wood

The walk through Gib Park Wood near Plymouth is a proper tonic if you've spent time on the city's seafront. It's a modest woodland - nothing vast or showy - but that's rather the point. The trees form a quiet corridor away from the bustle, and the paths wind through without feeling engineered or manicured to death.

You'll see native broadleaf forest doing what it does best: creating dappled light, soft ground underfoot, and the occasional surprise of a stream cutting through. The whole thing takes a couple of hours at a leisurely pace, less if you're just after a quick leg-stretch. No dramatic vistas or woodland drama - this is gentle walking territory.

It works particularly well for families with younger kids or anyone after a forest break without the hike commitment. If you're staying at one of the surrounding holiday parks - Hidden Hill Devon Glamping is nearby with its hot tubs and all - this is a nice morning or late-afternoon option before heading back for dinner.

The real draw here is simplicity. No entrance fees, no crowds, no pretence. Just a bit of Devon woodland that does its job. It won't change your life, but on a decent day, it's exactly what you want. Bring proper footwear - it gets damp - and expect to be back at your accommodation by mid-afternoon if you're efficient about it.