Higher Copse

A proper woodland walk through Devon's countryside, Higher Copse sits a few miles outside Exeter and delivers exactly what you'd want from a forest ramble without the pretension. The trees are tall, the paths are reasonably clear, and there's genuine peace once you get away from the car park area. You're looking at mixed woodland here - oak, ash, beech - the sort of place where you actually notice the seasonal changes rather than just reading about them in a guidebook.

It's ideal if you're staying at Yeatheridge Farm Caravan Park or Sunsets & Marshmallows Glamping and need a proper stretch of the legs without driving too far. Figure on 45 minutes to an hour for a decent walk, depending on which route you take. The forest floor can get muddy after rain, so proper boots aren't optional.

Families with younger kids will manage fine here - there's nothing steep or treacherous - though it won't blow their minds if they're the type who need activities. Serious walkers and local nature spotters will find more character than the average commercial woodland. It's the sort of place you stumble upon rather than plan a day trip around, but combined with other attractions near Exeter, it slots in well as a morning or afternoon break.

Free to access, and you can't beat that. Go midweek if you want to avoid the weekend crowd, though even then it's never rammed. Just decent forest, decent air, and no crowds pushing you about.