Tutshill Wood

The woodland around Tutshill is proper Devon - dense broadleaf forest that feels a world away from Ilfracombe's seaside bustle, despite being just a few miles inland. It's not a managed attraction with visitor centres or marked trails, but rather a genuine stretch of working woodland where you can walk without the crowds. The mature trees create a cathedral-like quiet, and the forest floor is soft underfoot even in drier months.

Walkers will get the most from this. You're looking at a solid couple of hours if you explore properly, picking your own route through the trees and discovering the occasional clearing where light floods through. Kids might find it interesting for an hour or so - there's something about woods that appeals to them, though there's nothing specifically designed for entertainment, which some families will see as a plus.

It's free and accessible as far as I can tell, though you'll want decent footwear and probably shouldn't head in after heavy rain unless you fancy mud halfway up your shins. The woodland works brilliantly as a morning or afternoon break if you're basing yourselves at one of the nearby parks - Stowford Farm Meadows or Hidden Valley are both within five miles. After a day of coastal walking around Ilfracombe, Tutshill offers a different kind of exercise without the salt spray and crowds. Go if you genuinely enjoy woodland walking; skip it if you need facilities or a defined experience.