Horsehill Plantation

A proper woodland walk rather than a manicured tourist spot, Horsehill Plantation sits just outside Crediton and delivers exactly what you'd hope for - tall conifers, quiet paths, and the kind of peace you can't manufacture. The trees tower overhead, creating that cathedral-like atmosphere that makes you walk slower and breathe deeper. You'll find it's a working forest more than a visitor attraction, which means it feels genuine.

The plantation suits walkers who actually want to walk, not snap photos for Instagram. Families with kids who can manage muddy terrain will find it rewarding too - there's something about loose-limbed running between trees that keeps children entertained far longer than you'd expect. On a drizzly afternoon in November I had it virtually to myself, which felt like a proper win.

Getting there from Yeatheridge Farm Caravan Park takes barely twenty minutes, making it an easy half-day excursion if the weather turns and you want shelter under dense canopy. Allow ninety minutes for a gentle amble, more if you're the type to sit on fallen logs and contemplate things. There's little in the way of facilities - no cafe, no visitor centre - so bring what you need.

It's free access, though you'll want sturdy footwear and shouldn't attempt it in heavy rain when the paths become proper bogs. Not dramatic or famous, but that's rather the point. Sometimes the best woodland is the one that doesn't need promoting.