Carter Park

The coastal path drops down into Carter Park just outside Dawlish, and you immediately understand why locals bother walking here when they could be anywhere else on Devon's south coast. It's a proper nature reserve - nothing fancy, no visitor centre or tea shop - just woodland, grassland, and the sound of the sea getting louder as you go deeper. The walking trails wind through scrub and down to the cliff edge, where you can spot seabirds if you're lucky and patient enough to sit still for five minutes.

This works best for people who actually like walking without constant signage or interpretation boards. Families with young kids might find it a bit tame - there's no playground or splash pool, just nature doing its thing. But if your children are the type who'd rather turn over rocks than visit an attraction centre, they'll be fine here. The whole reserve takes a couple of hours to explore properly, longer if you're birdwatching.

It's free to wander around, and the proximity to Haven Devon Cliffs Holiday Park and Haven - Devon Cliffs Resort makes it an obvious half-day option if you're staying in either. The cliff-top walks alone are worth the detour from your caravan or holiday home, particularly on clearer days when you can see across the bay. Come off-season if you can - mid-week in autumn or early spring and you'll have the paths almost to yourself.