Big Wood

The forest spreads across rolling Devon countryside just outside West Hill, with proper mature woodland that feels genuinely wild despite being so accessible. Oak, beech and ash dominate the canopy, and in spring the floor erupts with bluebells - utterly worth timing a visit around April or May if you can manage it.

Walking through here isn't a quick tick-box job. The terrain varies enough to keep things interesting: some gentle tracks suitable for families, other routes that climb steeply and demand proper boots. I'd allow two to three hours minimum if you want to properly explore rather than just potter about for twenty minutes. The paths aren't always obvious, so a map is sensible rather than optional.

It's the sort of place that appeals to anyone wanting actual woodland rather than a manicured nature trail. Serious walkers will find real trails here. Families with older kids can manage sections without too much grief. Photographers - particularly those who shoot nature and light through trees - will find endless material, especially during that low golden hour in late afternoon.

The main draw is simply that it feels like proper forest, not a visitor attraction dressed up to look natural. Free access, as far as I can tell, though it's worth checking locally in West Hill before driving out. If you're staying at nearby Cuckoo Down Farm Glamping, this would be a genuine highlight - a proper woodland walk that beats a theme park hollow.