Venn Plantation

The forest floor at Venn Plantation is carpeted thick with needles and moss - proper quiet, the kind of place where you notice birdsong properly for the first time in weeks. This working woodland sits inland from Plymouth, planted generations ago and now a genuine escape from the bustle of the coast.

It's a straightforward walk through conifers, with paths that don't demand too much but deliver enough distance to feel like you've actually gone somewhere. The trees are dense enough that even on a grey Devon afternoon, there's something calming about the gloom and green. Kids generally find it decent enough for an hour or so - they can splash in the streams if the seasons allow, though don't expect a theme park experience here.

Go for the walking, really. Bring decent boots because the ground gets boggy without warning. There's no visitor infrastructure to speak of, which honestly keeps it from feeling like every other managed woodland, but it does mean you're turning up at your own pace with your own snacks.

If you're camping at Hidden Hill Devon just down the road - those glamping spots with hot tubs are properly luxurious - Venn Plantation makes an excellent morning sortie before settling back for an afternoon soak. South Devon Camping at Lower Terawhiti Farm is another option if you want something less fancy. Either way, it's the kind of low-key forest walk that punctuates a park holiday nicely without demanding much planning.