North Wood

A sprawling woodland near South Brent that delivers proper forest walking without the crowds you'd get at more famous Dartmoor spots. The trees are mature and tall enough to make you feel genuinely removed from the outside world, and the paths wind through stands of oak and birch with enough variety to keep things interesting for a couple of hours.

It's ideal for families who want to tire out the kids without committing to an all-day hike, and walkers who prefer shade and shelter over open moorland. The forest floor is soft underfoot, usually manageable even after rain, though it can get boggy in places. A solid hour to ninety minutes is about right unless you're stopping frequently to spot birds or let children hunt for sticks.

There's a real sense of being in somewhere that feels properly wild - not manicured, not overcrowded. Bring binoculars if you're into birdwatching; it's the kind of wood where you'll actually hear things rather than just see them.

If you're staying at Ashbourne Woods or Brownscombe Luxury Glamping, North Wood works well as a mid-morning or late-afternoon excursion to break up the week. It's close enough not to demand a car journey longer than fifteen minutes, yet far enough away to feel like a proper change of scenery. Free to wander, no visitor centre, no facilities - just the wood itself.