Barton Hill Copse

A proper woodland walk just outside Crediton, Barton Hill Copse is the sort of place you stumble upon by accident and then keep coming back to. The trees are dense enough to feel genuinely away from it all, even though you're only minutes from town. Paths wind through mixed woodland - oak, beech, and conifers mostly - with decent clearings where you can actually see what you're doing without squinting through branches.

It's ideal for families with young walkers. A couple of hours is easily done without anyone's legs falling off, and there's enough variety in the terrain to keep kids interested without being genuinely challenging. The forest floor is soft underfoot after rain, which beats trudging along a muddy track to nowhere. You won't find any facilities here - no cafe, no visitor centre, no car park with a gift shop - which is rather refreshing, honestly.

Walkers get the most out of it. The woodland paths connect reasonably well, so you can chain walks together if you're feeling ambitious, and the quietness means you can actually hear birds instead of screaming toddlers. Spring and autumn are best - summer gets muggy under the canopy, and winter can be slippery.

If you're staying at Yeatheridge Farm Caravan Park nearby, this makes an excellent morning out without the faff of driving miles. Free to access, naturally, and open year-round. Bring a decent map or download offline routes beforehand though - signage is minimal and it's easy to wander in circles.