Chillparks

Chillparks is a forest space near Ilfracombe that gives you a proper escape from the North Devon coast without straying far. It's the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think - woods, open air, room to move about. The appeal is straightforward: trees, paths, and a break from the typical seaside hustle.

Walkers and families after something low-key will find it worthwhile. Young kids can run around without much risk, and there's enough space that it doesn't feel claustrophobic even when busy. It's not a massive destination in itself - you're looking at a couple of hours maximum - but it slots nicely into a North Devon holiday where you're based at one of the nearby parks like Braddicks or Hidden Valley.

The real strength here is location. You're close enough to Ilfracombe for a morning visit before hitting the coast later, or a quiet afternoon break if the beaches are rammed. It works as a breathing space rather than a day-long draw.

Worth noting: details on admission and facilities aren't readily available, so ring ahead before you go. Opening hours matter too, especially if you're planning around school runs or caravan park meal times. It's the sort of spot that rewards a bit of advance planning rather than a casual drive-by.