Stone Wood

A proper woodland walk rather than a manicured attraction, Stone Wood sits just inland from Plymouth and feels like the sort of place locals know about but tourists miss entirely. The forest itself is dense enough to make you feel genuinely away from it all, even though you're not far from the city. Paths wind through mature trees with decent stretches of open woodland floor, and there's something satisfying about the way the light filters through in patches.

It's best for walkers who don't mind a bit of mud and won't expect waymarked trails or information boards. Children with decent stamina will enjoy it - there's room to explore without worrying about them running onto a main road - though if they're after a playground or a definable destination, they'll get restless after an hour or so. The woodland itself won't take you more than ninety minutes to work through properly, depending on how much you dawdle.

If you're based at Hidden Hill Devon luxury Glamping over the road (proper setup with hot tubs), Stone Wood makes a solid morning or afternoon option when you want fresh air without the rigmarole of driving somewhere. Go early in the day if possible - the forest can feel a bit gloomy and cramped in the afternoon shadows, and weekends bring dog walkers by the dozen.

Free to access, though there's nowhere to park directly adjacent, so you'll need to scout a verge or nearby layby. Not a 'must-do' if you're only in Devon three days, but absolutely worth the walk if you're staying local and have time to kill.