Rookery Wood

The woodland paths at Rookery Wood wind through some proper Devon forest - tall oaks and beeches, the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think. It's near South Brent, which helps if you're basing yourself in the area and want something quick without driving half an hour.

There's something satisfying about walking here without worrying about crowds. The trees are mature enough that you get decent shade even on a bright day, and the paths are generally well-maintained underfoot. You're looking at maybe an hour or two depending on which route you take - it's not vast, but it's enough to stretch your legs and let the kids burn off some energy if they're with you.

This works well as a morning slot before heading to Ashbourne Woods holiday park for lunch, or as a quieter alternative to the busier spots around Dartmoor. The woodland isn't dramatic - no waterfalls or viewpoints - but that's rather the point. It's a proper walk through English woodland, the sort of thing locals pop into rather than tourists queuing at a car park.

Going in autumn is lovely when the floor is thick with leaves, though spring when everything's just leafing out works too. The wood's free to access, which is always welcome. It's not the kind of place you'd plan a day around, but it's exactly the sort of place you're glad you found.