Northpool Wood

A proper woodland walk rather than a manicured forest attraction, Northpool Wood sits just outside Kingsbridge in South Devon and rewards anyone who fancies stretching their legs away from the coast. The trees run thick here - oak, beech, and the usual Devon mix - with paths that wind through damp undergrowth and the occasional glimpse of light breaking through the canopy. You're looking at an hour or so of gentle wandering depending on which route you take; it's free to access and there's no entrance gate or visitor centre faffing about.

The wood works best for families wanting something low-key between beach days, or walkers who've had their fill of the busier South West Coast Path sections. Pushchairs won't thank you for it after heavy rain - the ground gets boggy - but older kids will enjoy spotting ferns and the occasional woodland bird. It's the kind of place where you actually hear quiet, which counts for something after a week of seaside crowds.

If you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Wilton Farm is practically on the doorstep - this makes an easy morning option without needing the car. Not a destination in itself, but a genuinely useful bit of breathing space when you need to break up a holiday focused on the Kingsbridge estuary and the Start Peninsula. Go early to avoid other walkers, bring decent boots, and don't expect dramatic views. You're here for the walk itself, really.