Andrew's Wood

A woodland walk near South Brent that feels properly wild - the sort of place where you half-expect to stumble on a badger sett or find an old stone bridge nobody's bothered to restore. Andrew's Wood isn't signposted as a major attraction, which is precisely why it works so well. The trees are dense enough to block out most of the moorland noise, and if you go on a weekday morning you'll likely have the paths to yourself.

It's a walker's spot rather than a destination you'd drive an hour to see. Locals come here when they want fresh air without the National Trust queues. The wood itself is mixed woodland - oak, birch, the lot - with enough ups and downs to keep things interesting without being punishing. You're looking at a good two hours for a proper circuit, though you can do shorter loops if the kids are flagging.

Family groups get the most from Andrew's Wood because it's genuinely good for letting children run ahead without constant panic - safe enough, interesting enough. Teenagers might find it a bit tame unless they're already into hiking. If you're based at Ashbourne Woods or South Devon Camping's Lower Terawhiti Farm, it's close enough for a morning session between park activities.

There's no visitor centre or café, so bring water and snacks. Free access, as far as anyone can tell. The real appeal is the lack of fuss - no admission fees, no laminated signs, just decent woodland doing what it does best.