Knapp Wood

The woodland paths through Knapp Wood wind deeper than you'd expect from a forest this close to Bideford. It's proper dense in places, with established oak and beech creating a cathedral-like canopy that muffles the outside world completely. The paths are well-maintained and reasonably flat - no scrambling required - which makes this ideal if you've got young legs in tow who might grumble at steep gradients.

What draws people here is the simplicity of it. No entrance fee, no visitor centre, no crowds. You get a wood, you get quiet, you get the sound of whatever's living in the undergrowth. On a grey Devon afternoon it feels properly atmospheric. The walk takes anything from 30 minutes to two hours depending on which routes you take and how often you stop to poke about.

It's a solid choice if you're based at Braddicks Holiday Park or Owl Valley Glamping - both just a short drive away - and you want to break up a holiday with something low-key that doesn't require planning. Families appreciate it because kids can run ahead without much danger, and walkers like it because it's genuine forest rather than managed parkland. Given the proximity to Bideford's coast, you could easily combine it with a beach trip the same day.

The main drawback? It's just a wood. If you're after dramatic views or rare plants or something with a story attached, you won't find them here. But if you want to disappear into quiet trees for a couple of hours, this does the job.