Nickey's Ham

The woodland around Nickey's Ham, just outside Launceston, is proper quiet - the sort of place you stumble into rather than plan for. Ancient trees create this cathedral-like canopy, and the ground is soft with moss and last season's leaves. It's a working forest, so you get the real thing rather than a manicured nature reserve.

This is walker territory, first and foremost. The paths wind through decent-sized woodland with enough variation that you won't feel like you're trudging the same route twice. If you've got kids, they'll either love the freedom of actual forest (climbing fallen logs, building dens) or get bored within twenty minutes - depends on the child, really. The forest floor is uneven, so it's not ideal for buggies or very young legs.

Local history types might find the place interesting given Launceston's position in Cornwall's past, though Nickey's Ham itself is more about the trees than any particular landmark. Allow a couple of hours if you're genuinely exploring rather than just pottering about.

If you're staying at Trewithen Farm Glamping or Ekopod, this is within easy reach and works as a proper break from the park. It's free and mostly unmanaged, which means no visitor centre faffing about. Best visited when it's dry - it gets boggy otherwise, and muddy woodland loses its appeal fast.