Round Wood

Walk into Round Wood and you're immediately swallowed by old oaks and beech trees that have stood here longer than most of us care to think about. It's proper woodland, the kind where the canopy is thick enough that you lose track of time, and the forest floor is soft underfoot with decades of leaf mould. There are paths threading through, though nothing manicured or sign-posted - you navigate by instinct and what looks passable.

This is a place for walkers rather than casual strollers. Bring decent boots; it gets muddy, especially after rain. The best time to visit is autumn when the light filters through the changing leaves, or spring when the woodland floor comes alive. Allow at least an hour, longer if you're the sort who stops to listen to woodpeckers and identify fungi.

Historically it's the real deal - ancient woodland with the kind of botanical richness you don't find in managed forests. Kids will either love getting properly lost among the trees or get bored within twenty minutes, depending on their tolerance for "nothing to do but walk." There's no facilities, no café, no playground.

For a forest bath near Tiverton, it's worth the detour if you're staying at somewhere like Nirvana Glamping nearby and want to escape the manicured holiday park vibe. But don't expect thrills. Expect moss, expect silence, expect to actually feel the forest around you.