Claydowns Covert

The woodland walk through Claydowns Covert is one of those places you stumble upon by accident while exploring Somerset's quieter corners near Taunton. It's a proper forest - all dense trees, leaf litter underfoot, and the kind of peace you don't get near the main holiday parks dotting the coast. The canopy does its job too, so even on drizzly Somerset days it's reasonably dry underfoot.

There's not a great deal to see in terms of landmarks or viewpoints - this isn't about vistas or photo ops. What you get is a straightforward walk through native woodland, the sort of thing that appeals to people who actually like trees rather than those after postcards. Kids will find it fine for an hour or so, though there's nothing to keep them entertained beyond poking about in the undergrowth and the odd scramble over fallen logs.

If you're staying at Warren Bay or Hoburne Blue Anchor just down the road, it's a decent morning escape from the caravan. The walk feels genuinely quiet compared to the busier bits of the Somerset coast. Whether it's free or paid, open or closed, remains a mystery - local information is thin on the ground. That's partly the charm. You won't find crowds here, and you won't find facilities either. Go early or late in the day, wear proper boots because it can get boggy, and don't expect signage to be brilliant. It works best for walkers who appreciate woods for their own sake.