Broadmaid's Copse

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination in itself, Broadmaid's Copse sits inland from Ilfracombe and makes a decent escape if you're staying at one of the nearby caravan parks. The forest is small - you're looking at maybe an hour to wander through, depending on how many photo stops you fancy. The paths are decent underfoot, shaded by mature trees, and it's the sort of place where you actually hear birdsong instead of screaming seagulls.

This won't blow your mind if you're comparing it to the sprawling forests of Dartmoor or Exmoor proper, but it works as a morning outing or a way to kill time between breakfast and lunch. Families with young kids who need a forest fix will find enough to keep them amused - fallen logs to clamber over, the smell of damp earth - though there's no playground or facilities to speak of. Walkers heading into the area will appreciate it as a warm-up before tackling bigger terrain nearby.

Access appears straightforward from Ilfracombe, though exact opening times and entry fees aren't published anywhere obvious - worth checking locally if you're planning a specific visit. It's free to visit as far as I can tell, which is just as well given there's not a café in sight. If you're based at Braddicks or Hidden Valley, it's close enough for a casual afternoon leg-stretch, though I wouldn't route a holiday around it. Good for what it is; just manage expectations accordingly.