Brushwood

Brushwood is one of those forests you stumble upon rather than plan for - a proper mixed woodland just outside Crediton that's genuinely worth a detour if you're camping at Yeatheridge Farm nearby. The trees here are dense enough that you feel properly removed from the world after about five minutes of walking, which is no mean feat in Devon.

It's a walker's spot, straightforward as that. The trails wind through beech and oak, the ground's soft underfoot most of the time, and there's enough space to lose the crowds even on a busy day. You won't find facilities or signage that screams "attraction" - there's no cafe, no visitor centre, no branded experience. Just woodland. Kids will enjoy it if they're the sort who don't need entertainment laid on, though anything under five might find the distance tedious.

Allow a couple of hours if you want to actually explore rather than just walk the perimeter. The spring is best when the bluebells show, though honestly autumn's when the light cuts through properly. If you're staying at Yeatheridge - which sits only five or six miles away - you could easily combine this with exploring Crediton town itself, which has a decent market and some genuine character without being packaged for tourists.

Free to access, no car park as such, so arrive early on weekends. Bring decent boots if there's been rain.