Tamar Valley AONB

The Tamar Valley cuts through the Devon-Cornwall border like a slow blade, and driving through it for the first time genuinely catches you off guard. This is proper river valley country - steep wooded slopes, small villages clinging to hillsides, and stretches where the landscape feels almost untouched. The whole area is designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, which means the usual caravan parks and tourist tat don't ruin things.

What you actually do here is walk. Miles of them. The Tamar Valley Line (the disused railway) runs through it and makes for a cracking route on foot, flat enough that you won't exhaust the kids but interesting enough that you won't lose them after half an hour. The river itself is tidal for several miles inland, so depending when you visit you'll either see proper water or mudflats - both have their charm. Tavistock, the nearest proper town, sits above it all and makes a decent base if you're thinking of staying longer.

Families with walkers will get the most from this. History types might geek out on the old tin and copper mining heritage dotted around. It's free to explore - no gates, no admission fees. Allow a full day minimum to do it justice, though you could easily spend three days here without running out of paths.

If you're staying at Sunnyside Eco Glamping or Langstone Manor, both within five miles, the valley becomes your back garden. It's the sort of place that reveals itself slowly rather than hitting you over the head with attractions. That's actually the whole point.