Bridford Woodland Park

The woodland around Bridford, just outside Exeter, is proper walking territory. Ancient trees, quiet paths, and the sort of place where you'll actually hear birdsong rather than traffic - which says something for how close you are to the city. The reserve itself is manageable on foot, with trails that don't demand fell-walking boots or a packed lunch, though you could easily spend two or three hours here if you're the sort who stops to identify birds or photograph fungi.

It's ideal for families who've got past the "carry them" phase but aren't yet into ten-mile hikes. Kids will find enough woodland exploration to feel like proper adventurers without getting bored or knackered. Dog walkers love it, naturally. History buffs might appreciate that you're in Devon's ancient woodland belt, though there's no dramatic ruins or interpretive boards spelling out the past - it's more about the feeling of walking through something that's been here for centuries.

The location works well if you're based at one of the nearby parks - Sunsets & Marshmallows or Barley Meadow are both close enough that Bridford makes a half-day trip without the faff of driving across half the county. No admission fee means you can nip in and out whenever, which takes the pressure off if weather turns or the children mutiny. Spring and autumn are loveliest, when the woodland floor isn't squelching underfoot and the light filters through properly.