Southweek Wood

A proper woodland walk on the edge of Okehampton, Southweek Wood feels like your own private forest if you time it right. The trees are dense enough that you'll lose sight of the town within minutes, and there's a genuine sense of being somewhere wild even though you're just outside Devon's highest town.

It's the sort of place where walkers come into their own. The paths wind through mixed woodland - oak, beech, conifers - with enough elevation changes to keep things interesting without being brutal. Expect muddy sections in winter and a real scramble if recent rain has turned things slick. Kids will enjoy spotting woodland birds and the occasional deer if you're lucky and quiet enough. The whole loop takes a couple of hours depending on your pace, though you can easily duck out early if energy levels flag.

What makes it worthwhile is the combination - woodland exercise without the tourist crowds you'd get at, say, Dartmoor proper. It's the kind of place where you actually hear birdsong instead of the sound of coach parties. The woodland floor is thick with moss and ferns, which is lovely in spring.

If you're staying at Wolf Wood Treehouses just down the road, this is basically on your doorstep and worth tackling on a dry morning. Bring proper boots rather than trainers. There's parking near the main entrance, though spaces fill up on weekends. Free to walk, obviously.