Knowle Wood

The woodland around Knowle Wood, just inland from Watchet, gives you proper Somerset in miniature - quiet, undramatic, but genuinely pleasant if you're after a gentle walk rather than a showstopper view. It's mixed deciduous forest, the kind of place where you'll spot oak and beech in equal measure, with a decent network of paths that don't demand serious hiking boots.

This works best for families who want to let the kids burn off energy without too much fuss, or walkers breaking up a coastal trip with something inland. The woodland itself is free to explore - there's no visitor centre or entrance fee to worry about. You can easily spend 90 minutes here, though an hour is perfectly reasonable if you're just after a constitutional stroll. Early morning feels best, when you might actually hear birdsong instead of the occasional dog walker.

For a holiday park base, Haven Doniford Bay is barely two miles away, making Knowle Wood a sensible option on a day when the coast is too windy or busy. It slots between a visit to Watchet harbour and walks along the Quantock foothills. Not revelatory, but if you're staying in the area for a week, it's the sort of wood that fills an afternoon without demanding much planning. The paths can get boggy after rain - trainers rather than sandals.