Collaton Wood

The woodland around Collaton Wood, just inland from Kingsbridge, gives you that proper Devon forest feeling without needing to venture too far from the coast. It's the kind of place where the light filters through oak and beech in that particular way that makes you forget you're only a few miles from civilisation. Walk through here and you get decent woodland paths, birdsong that actually drowns out the traffic, and the sort of peace that's rarer than you'd think in South Devon these days.

This works best for anyone who wants to escape the seaside crowds without committing to a full day's expedition. Dog walkers will find it ideal - proper trails rather than leads-only beach walks. History types won't find much to examine, but the woodland itself tells a story if you know where to look: old oak pollards, the bones of traditional Devon woodland management. You can knock out a solid hour or two here depending on how far you push into it.

The real advantage is proximity to Kingsbridge town and the surrounding caravan parks like Karrageen (just 2.5 miles away) and Wilton Farm (3 miles off). Combine it with a coastal walk to Start Point or an afternoon in Kingsbridge itself, and you've got a proper morning sorted. Free access, no faffing about with opening hours or admission fees. The forest is always there. Best visited when the light's decent - early morning or late afternoon beats the midday murk.