Bystock Pools

The pools sit just outside Exmouth, a quiet spot that most beach-goers miss entirely while rushing past to the seafront. They're essentially a series of natural water features carved into the landscape - nothing flashy, but genuinely worth a wander if you're staying at Castle Brake or one of the other parks dotted round here.

What you get is a gentle walk through the grounds with water channels and pools that reflect the surrounding woodland. It's the sort of place where you notice things - dragonflies skimming the surface, the light changing as clouds move overhead. Children tend to enjoy spotting water creatures here rather than paddling themselves, though be clear on what's actually swimmable before you go.

The main draw is that it's free and requires minimal planning. Allow an hour to properly look around without rushing. It works best as an add-on to a wider coastal walk rather than as a destination in itself - pop over from Exmouth town centre and combine it with the seafront proper.

Truth is, it won't blow your mind. The pools lack the drama of Devon's more famous coastal spots, and on a grey day the appeal dips noticeably. But if you're based at Haven Devon Cliffs or Ladram Bay and want a low-key morning outing that gets you away from the holiday park for a couple of hours, it does the job. Best visited when the sun's actually out.