Sandpit Copse

Sandpit Copse is a proper little woodland squeeze just outside Newton Abbot, the kind of place you'd miss entirely if someone didn't tip you off. Nothing flashy about it - just a thick stand of mixed trees with paths that meander through without any obvious destination, which is exactly why it works.

You get decent shade under the canopy, a bit of birdsong, and the sort of quiet that actually feels like quiet rather than the absence of noise. It's small enough that you won't be fighting through crowds, but substantial enough that you can spend a solid hour wandering without feeling cheated. The ground's usually soft underfoot, particularly after rain, so proper walking boots are sensible rather than optional.

Families with primary school kids will find it better than younger toddlers might - there's not much to hold the attention of a three-year-old, but children who enjoy spotting wildlife and scrambling through undergrowth will get genuine value. It's also decent for walkers using Newton Abbot as a base, though you'd probably combine it with other local spots rather than making it a full day's mission.

The nearest significant holiday base is Parkdean Resorts Torquay Holiday Park about six and a half miles south, which gives you easy access to both woodland walks and the coast. Sandpit Copse isn't essential viewing, but it's the kind of honest, unpretentious space that often beats the more promoted spots. Visit midweek if you can - weekends pull in locals using it as a quick escape.