Coldharbour Wood

The walk into Coldharbour Wood from Plymouth's outskirts catches you off guard. Within ten minutes of leaving the city you're underneath proper old-growth beech and oak, with the sound of traffic completely gone. It's a genuine patch of woodland that feels far more remote than its proximity to the city has any right to be.

The main draw here is straightforward: a network of footpaths threading through mixed deciduous forest, with enough variety in the terrain to keep things interesting without being punishing. You get dappled shade, a few gentle climbs, and the kind of quiet that makes you remember why you came to Devon in the first place. In spring the bluebells are decent, though nothing that'll stop traffic. Autumn is actually when it shines - the colour change is proper atmospheric under the canopy.

This works well for families with older kids and keen walkers, less so for anyone expecting manicured gardens or facilities. There's no café, no visitor centre, no marked route - you just turn up and walk. Allow anything from 45 minutes to two hours depending on which paths you take. Free, obviously.

If you're staying at Hidden Hill Devon glamping site just down the road, this is exactly the sort of morning walk that justifies the price of those hot tubs. Gets you out and moving before settling back for breakfast. Not essential, but genuinely worth an hour of your time if you're in the Plymouth area.