Kitrow Copse

The woodland at Kitrow Copse, just outside Minehead, is proper woodland - the kind where you can actually lose yourself for an hour without bumping into a gift shop. It's a modest stretch of forest with decent walking paths that work well if you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks and fancy stretching your legs away from the arcades.

What you get here is straightforward: tree-lined trails, enough shade to make it pleasant on a warm day, and the kind of quiet that's increasingly rare. The paths are manageable for families with decent walkers, though very small children might find it a bit much if you're planning anything ambitious. There's no visitor centre or facilities that I'm aware of, so come prepared.

The real value is proximity. If you're bunking down at Hoburne Blue Anchor or Butlins in Minehead, Kitrow Copse is a sensible detour - close enough for a morning walk without eating up half your day. It won't blow your mind, but it delivers what it promises: woodland air and the chance to get off the path properly beaten by tourists.

Go in spring or early summer when the canopy's thick and everything's green. Winter feels a bit bleak. There's no admission charge as far as I can establish - just turn up and walk. Allow a couple of hours maximum, depending on how thoroughly you explore. It's the sort of place that works brilliantly as a break from holiday park life, not as a main event.