The Chase

A proper chunk of woodland that sits just outside Honiton and doesn't try to be anything it isn't - it's a forest, and that's exactly what you get. The Chase offers decent walking through beech and oak with enough tree cover to feel genuinely away from it all, even when you're only a few miles from town. The paths are well-trodden enough to follow without faffing about with a map, though the terrain gets muddy after rain.

This is walker country. If you're after marked trails with interpretation boards and a visitor centre cafe, look elsewhere. The Chase rewards you with space and quiet instead - proper thinking time among the trees. Families with young children might struggle a bit if they need constant distraction, but kids who enjoy scrambling through undergrowth and spotting wildlife will have a ball. Bring wellies in winter.

It's free to access and takes anywhere from an hour to three hours depending on how lost you want to get. Spring and autumn are lovely times to visit when the woodland floor comes alive. Summer can be buggy. If you're staying at Hartridge Springs Spa Glamping nearby, The Chase makes an easy morning walk before heading back for lunch. It fits nicely into a broader Devon ramble itinerary without requiring any planning beyond wearing proper boots. No facilities on site, so sort yourself out in Honiton first.