Youlston Park

You're looking at a proper slice of Devon countryside here, just outside Barnstaple. Youlston Park is a nature reserve that doesn't shout about itself - which is exactly why it's worth knowing about. The place feels genuinely wild in parts, with woodland trails winding through ancient oaks and open grassland where you'll spot the kind of birds and insects that have given up on being anywhere more famous.

It's the sort of spot where walkers actually enjoy themselves. The paths meander rather than plough straight, and you get a real sense of moving through different habitats - from dense woodland to more open meadow. Depending on the season, you'll clock bluebells, various raptors, and if you're lucky, deer moving through the trees. The reserve isn't about views from a single point; it's about the walking itself.

This works brilliantly for families who want somewhere their kids won't tire of instantly, and genuinely interesting for birdwatchers and anyone into native plants. Allow a couple of hours to do it properly rather than rushing. There's something refreshing about a nature reserve that doesn't need admission fees or visitor centres to justify itself.

Stay at Longlands Devon or Lakeview Farmhouse - both just over five miles away - and you're well-placed to explore this along with the broader Devon countryside. Not Instagram-famous, which honestly is its biggest strength.