Cummins Copse

A proper woodland walk rather than a destination where you'll spend hours, Cummins Copse sits near Chard and delivers what you'd expect from a Devon forest - tall trees, soft ground underfoot, and the kind of quiet that feels earned after a drive down narrow lanes. The copse itself is modest but genuine. You get the canopy cover, dappled light, and that particular smell of damp earth and pine that reminds you why people bother with forests in the first place.

It's the sort of place walkers will appreciate more than casual visitors. Kids might find it a bit samey after twenty minutes unless they're the type to build dens and turn sticks into swords, which fair play to them. History buffs won't uncover anything remarkable here - it's woodland, not a ruin - but there's something about an old copse that speaks to the landscape's depth regardless.

If you're staying at one of the nearby glamping spots like Hartridge Springs Spa or Dimpsey Shepherd's Hut, a morning wander through Cummins makes sense as part of a broader exploration of the area rather than a standalone trip. It'll eat up an hour comfortably, depending how slowly you move and whether you're the type to sit on a log for ten minutes doing nothing, which I absolutely am.

Free access, predictably, and you can turn up whenever. No visitor centre, no facilities - just trees and what you bring with you.