Holt Wood

The trees here crowd in fast once you leave the car park, and within minutes you've lost sight of the road entirely. Holt Wood is a proper forest walk just north of Plymouth - dense, shaded, and the kind of place where you actually feel like you've escaped the city despite being barely three miles out. The woodland floor is soft with needles and moss. You'll find a network of paths threading through, nothing too demanding, though some sections get boggy after rain.

It's best for families with kids old enough to walk a decent distance without constant stopping. The forest canopy keeps things cool even on hot days, which is genuinely brilliant in summer. There's no playground or visitor facilities that I could find, so bring water and come prepared for a proper walk rather than a casual stroll. Most people can cover the main loop in under an hour, though you could easily potter about for two if you're not rushing.

Locally it works well as part of a wider Dartmoor outing - Dartmoor Domes is only a couple of miles away if you're staying in that direction. The wood itself feels remote enough to be worth the detour on its own, though it's admittedly a bit quiet compared to the moors proper. History buffs might be disappointed - there's nothing obvious in terms of ruins or heritage markers. This is purely about the trees, the air, and having somewhere proper green to walk when you fancy a break from Devon's coastal crowds.