Stowford Moor Nature Reserve

Stowford Moor is a proper bit of Devon countryside that doesn't shout about itself. The reserve sits just inland from Bideford, a stretch of open moorland and wetland that shifts with the seasons - bog plants in spring, heather come late summer, and in winter it transforms into something altogether wilder. You're walking through the kind of landscape that feels genuinely remote despite being minutes from town.

It's the sort of place that rewards a slow walk rather than a quick loop. Birdwatchers get the most from it - lapwings, curlews, and if you're lucky, visiting raptors working the open ground. The paths are manageable but can be boggy after rain, so waterproofs and proper boots aren't optional. Allow a couple of hours if you want to actually see anything beyond the entrance.

The real appeal here is solitude. You won't find benches, visitor centres, or anyone flogging ice creams. It's free to access and works beautifully as a half-day break from a longer Devon holiday, particularly if you're based at Broad Park Camping and Glamping up the road. Families with young children might find it a bit exposed and featureless - there's no dramatic viewpoint or playpark to justify the trudge. But if you're after moorland walking without the crowds of Exmoor, this delivers. Early morning light across the moor is genuinely something.