Great Church Plantation

A proper woodland walk rather than a manicured tourist attraction, Great Church Plantation sits just outside Bideford and delivers exactly what it says on the tin - trees, paths, and the kind of quiet you don't get in summer seaside towns. The forest floor is soft underfoot, the canopy thick enough that you'll stay reasonably dry even when it's been raining, and there's a real sense of stepping away from things.

It's ideal for anyone who fancies stretching their legs without committing to a full moorland hike. Families with primary-age kids will get a solid hour out of it; teenagers might find it a bit tame unless they're keen on woodland photography or spotting birds. Dog walkers love it, and on a grey Cornish morning when the seafront's heaving, this feels like a proper escape.

The paths are straightforward enough - no scrambling or navigation drama - though they can get boggy after heavy rain, so decent footwear matters. There's no tea shop or facilities that I'm aware of, so bring what you need. It costs nothing and you can turn up whenever suits you.

If you're staying at Coastal Cabins Glamping just 1.5 miles away, or any of the other parks dotted nearby, this is a cracking spot to burn an hour between breakfast and heading to the beach. It breaks up a week of sand and ice cream without requiring much planning. Not dramatic, not Instagram-friendly, but genuinely restorative.