Ludon Wood

Walking into Ludon Wood near Bude, you're straight into proper woodland - the kind with actual shade and the smell of damp earth that reminds you why you left the coast for a few hours. It's a genuine forest rather than a manicured park, which means uneven paths, tangled undergrowth, and the occasional root to watch out for.

The wood itself isn't enormous, so you're not talking about getting lost for hours, but it's big enough to feel like you've escaped. Dog walkers tend to love it here - there's room to let them off lead and enough interesting smells to keep them occupied. Families with younger kids might find an hour is about right before someone asks to leave, though if you've got keen walkers in the group, you can stretch it to a couple of hours by exploring different routes.

There's no visitor centre or facilities that I'm aware of, so bring what you need. The paths can get muddy after rain - wellies aren't overkill if the weather's been wet. Free access appears to be the case, which is always a bonus.

If you're staying at Pencuke Farm Holiday Cottages or the Bude Camping and Caravanning Club Site, it's close enough for a morning walk without eating into your day. It works best as a break from the beach rather than a destination in itself - couple it with Bude's seafront and you've got a solid half-day sorted.