Swine Park Copse

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination in itself, Swine Park Copse sits just outside Exeter and offers exactly what you'd want from a Devon forest - tall trees, dappled light, and the kind of quiet you don't get in the city. The paths wind through mixed woodland with decent shade cover, making it ideal on one of those warm summer days when you need to escape the heat.

Walkers will find the most value here. It's not dramatic or vast, but rather the sort of place you explore for an hour before heading into Exeter proper or back to Cuckoo Down Farm Glamping six miles away. Families with young kids can manage it without complaint, though anyone after a proper hike might find it a touch limited. The woodland itself is fairly standard Devon forest - nothing unusual or particularly noteworthy in terms of wildlife or rare plants, just good, solid woodland.

No facilities that I'm aware of, so pack water and head out. Free access, unsurprisingly. Best visited when the undergrowth isn't too thick - spring or early autumn work well. The ground can get muddy after rain, so waterproof boots wouldn't go amiss.

It slots well into a broader park holiday in the area. Pair it with Cuckoo Down Farm's glamping offering for a gentle weekend - morning walk through the copse, afternoon exploring Exeter's proper attractions. Don't make a special trip, but if you're camping nearby and fancy a quiet woodland stretch without the crowds, it does the job.