Leigh Wood

The woodland paths here fold through beech and oak, proper quiet stuff - the kind of place where you actually hear birdsong instead of your own breathing. Leigh Wood sits just outside Tiverton and works brilliantly as a half-day expedition, especially if you're camped at one of the nearby parks like Nirvana Glamping or Waterrow Touring Park.

Walking in is straightforward. The forest floor stays reasonably firm even after rain, and trails wind through with enough variation to keep kids interested without exhausting them. Most people potter about for 90 minutes to two hours before heading back. The canopy in summer is dense enough to feel genuinely cool on sticky days, which matters more than you'd think when you've been in a tent.

It's not a "make a day of it" destination - that's fine to admit. You won't find dramatic vistas or ruins or anything Instagram-worthy. What you get instead is the kind of walking that settles your head. History buffs might appreciate that it's old managed woodland, but honestly, it's more useful as a stretch-your-legs break between other Devon attractions than a main event.

Families with younger kids find it suits them well enough. No facilities to speak of that I could find, so bring water. Free to access. Go on a weekday morning if you can - weekends bring the local dog walkers out in force, which changes the vibe entirely.