Allenstyle Wood

Deep woodland paths and a proper sense of being properly away from it all - that's what Allenstyle Wood delivers, just outside Ilfracombe. You're looking at dense mixed forest with the kind of canopy that keeps things cool even on the warmest days. The paths are manageable rather than challenging, though they can get muddy, so decent boots are the way to go.

It's the sort of place walkers with time on their hands will love. Not a destination that demands three hours, but genuinely worth an hour or so if you're camping at one of the nearby sites like Braddicks or Hidden Valley. You'll see plenty of bird activity, the odd flash of local wildlife, and the sort of quiet that makes you remember why you left the city.

Families won't find playground equipment or facilities, so manage expectations - this is woods, not a visitor attraction with services. Kids who actually like walking rather than constant stimulation will get something out of it. The real value comes if you're based locally for a week. Pop in for a wander before breakfast, stretch your legs between campsite activities, use it as a break from beach time at nearby Ilfracombe.

Access appears to be free and unrestricted, though there's little official information online, so it pays to ask locally when you arrive. The woodland sits close enough to the coast that you could easily combine it with a proper beach day. Bit of forest, bit of seaside - that's a solid Devon week sorted.