Grand Western Canal Country Park

The canal towpath at Grand Western stretches for nearly two miles of proper Devon countryside, and it's one of those walks that sneaks up on you. The water's calm, the surrounding fields roll gently, and you get the sense that not many people know about it - which is brilliant.

What you're actually doing here is following a restored stretch of the 200-year-old Grand Western Canal. The engineering that went into digging this thing is genuinely impressive when you think about it, though the best bit is simply walking it. The path is flat and easy, making it genuinely good for families with small kids or anyone who doesn't fancy a hill. You'll see waterfowl, maybe spot a heron if you're lucky, and there's something rather meditative about the rhythm of it all.

Allow a couple of hours for a leisurely return walk. It's free to access, and you can park near Tiverton. Spring and early summer are when it properly comes alive - the banks burst with wildflowers and the light gets low and golden in the evenings.

If you're staying at Nirvana Glamping just down the road, this makes an excellent half-day outing. It's not a full-day destination unless you're genuinely into canal history or you're the sort who walks slowly and stops constantly to watch birds. But paired with a base nearby, it's well worth the walk.