Pattard Wood

A proper woodland walk inland from Bideford, Pattard Wood is the kind of place you stumble upon rather than plan for. Ancient trees, damp earth underfoot, the works. It's dense enough that you actually feel like you've escaped - no rare birds or dramatic vistas, just good honest forest. The paths wind through without too much faffing about, and it's the sort of spot where kids can actually burn off energy without you fretting about cliff edges or tidal pools.

Realistically, allow an hour or so if you're taking it steady. It won't gobble up your whole morning, but it's ideal as a break from a coast-heavy itinerary when you're staying at one of the nearby glamping sites - Coastal Cabins is barely half a mile away. Roeys Retreat and Atlantic Horizons are close enough too if you're basing yourself in the area for a few days.

Best visited after decent weather when the paths aren't a swamp, though that's part of the charm, admittedly. It's free and there's no faffing with entry fees or opening hours - just turn up. The crowds won't find it, which is precisely why it works. Not dramatic, not Instagram-worthy, but if you want a proper Cornish woodland breath without driving forty minutes, this does the job.