Berrynarbor Park

The coastal path drops down to Berrynarbor Park just outside Ilfracombe, and it's one of those reserves that sneaks up on you - barely signposted, utterly unpretentious. What you get is a proper Devon woodland sloping towards the sea, with paths threading through native trees and understorey plants that locals actually care about. The whole thing's geared towards protecting breeding seabirds and small mammals rather than putting on a show for visitors, which honestly makes it more interesting than the manicured stuff.

This is a walker's spot, full stop. The terrain's a bit steep in places, but nothing that'll break you. Allow an hour or so if you're just doing the main circuit; longer if you've got binoculars and patience. Spring and early summer are the real business here - that's when the breeding birds are active and the whole reserve feels alive. Winter's quieter but the structure of the woodland becomes more apparent.

It's free to access and runs without fuss - no visitor centre, no café, no ticket office. That's either perfect or frustrating depending on what you want from a morning out. Families with young kids might find it a bit thin on the ground for entertainment, but proper nature types and keen walkers will have a proper day of it.

If you're staying at one of the holiday parks clustered around Sandaway Beach or Newberry Valley - both within a mile - this beats a third trip to the seafront. Combine it with a walk into Ilfracombe itself and you've got a solid day without breaking sweat.