Berryfields park

The walk into Berryfields takes you through proper woodland before the landscape opens up into open heath and grassland - it's the sort of place where you'll see why people move to Cornwall and then never leave. This nature reserve near Bodmin sits on the edge of the moor, and there's a genuine sense of space here, the kind you won't find in busier spots along the coast.

What you're looking at is habitat restoration work that's been going on for years. The reserve is managed for the mix of plants and wildlife that would naturally thrive here - gorse, heather, and the birds that come with them. It's not dramatic in the way Bodmin Moor itself is dramatic, but it rewards a slow walk. Bring binoculars if you're into birds; keep your eyes down if you prefer wild flowers. Either way, you'll need two hours minimum to do it justice, longer if you're the type who stops frequently.

This works brilliantly as part of a wider Bodmin area break. You could base yourself at Camp De Lank Cornwall (just five miles away) and spend mornings here, then tackle the bigger moor walks in the afternoon. It's the kind of reserve that appeals to people who actually enjoy walking rather than ticking off Instagram spots - no crowds, no facilities to speak of, just the moorland edge doing what it does.

Free to access, as far as I can tell, though it's worth checking locally before you visit. Go in spring or early summer when things are growing rather than dormant.