Braunton Recreation Ground

Just outside Ilfracombe, Braunton Recreation Ground is proper countryside - all open grassland, walking paths, and the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think. It's a nature reserve rather than a manicured park, which means what you get is genuine Devon landscape without the visitor centre faffing about.

The main draw is straightforward: walking. The ground opens up across meadows and fields, perfect for stretching your legs after a couple of days on the beach. Bird watchers come here regularly - you'll see gulls, finches, and if you're lucky, some of the rarer species that use this as a stopover. Families with young kids might get a couple of hours out of it before the flat terrain loses their interest, but walkers and nature types will find it worth a proper visit.

You can access it freely and at your own pace - there's no rigid timetable or entry fee nonsense. Allow a couple of hours if you're doing the full circuit, less if you just want a quick constitutional. Early morning or late afternoon is when you'll see most wildlife and dodge the school groups.

It slots well into a North Devon holiday based around Ilfracombe. Hidden Valley Touring and Camping Park and the others within a few miles mean you're never far from base. The recreation ground is useful as a recovery day activity when the coastal walks get a bit much, or as something to do when the weather's decent but not spectacular enough for Woolacombe Sands.