Curdon Wood

Walking into Curdon Wood feels like stepping properly off the beaten track. It's a decent-sized woodland just outside Watchet in Somerset, the sort of place that rewards a proper explore rather than a quick circuit. The trees are thick enough to give you real shade, and there's that particular Somerset quiet you don't get in busier spots - just birdsong and the crunch of leaves underfoot.

The woodland itself is fairly straightforward walking terrain, nothing technical, which makes it ideal if you've got kids in tow or you're after a gentle leg-stretch between beach days. The paths meander through mixed woodland, and on a damp autumn day especially, it feels properly atmospheric. You won't find dramatic viewpoints or historical plaques here - this is just woods being woods, which is rather the point.

Given its proximity to Watchet and the cluster of holiday parks dotted round about - Doniford Bay and Warren Bay are both nearby - it slots nicely into a seaside break. Pop over for an hour or so before heading back to your caravan. Don't expect manicured trails or information boards; Curdon Wood is the sort of place where you find your own way and keep your own pace.

It's free to access and there's no gatekeeping here, which is refreshing. Best visited when the ground isn't waterlogged - autumn and spring tend to work well. Not a destination in itself, but absolutely worth the diversion if you're already in the area.