Oxen Wood

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination in itself, Oxen Wood sits just outside Kingsbridge and makes for a solid couple of hours if you're based at one of the nearby caravan parks - Start Bay, Wilton Farm, or Karrageen are all within striking distance. The woodland itself is nothing fancy, but that's rather the point. You get mature trees, decent paths, and the kind of quiet you don't find in busier Devon spots.

Walkers will get more from it than most. There's something about following a proper forest trail that justifies the effort, even if the wood doesn't have the dramatic views you'd find further north on Dartmoor. Families with primary-school kids will manage it without complaint, though they might get bored if you linger too long. Older children who actually enjoy walking rather than grumbling about it will appreciate the peace.

The real value is as a break from campsite life rather than a main event. If you're staying at Start Bay or one of the farms nearby and the weather's decent, it's worth an afternoon. Go when it's not raining - like most woodlands, it's absolutely grim when wet and muddy. Allow two to three hours including a proper mooch about, not a sprint.

Practical advice: assume it's free access as it's woodland near Kingsbridge, but there's no obvious car park or visitor information to confirm opening hours or facilities. Go prepared with the basics, and don't expect anything beyond trees and paths.