Denbury Playing Fields

You'll find Denbury Playing Fields just outside Newton Abbot, though calling it a nature reserve might be generous - it's more of a working green space with genuine wildlife value tucked in at the edges. The fields themselves are open grassland, the sort of place locals use for cricket and football, but if you venture along the boundaries you'll spot proper habitat: hedgerows, rough grass, and scrubby bits that attract birds and invertebrates.

This isn't a destination in itself, frankly. You won't spend an afternoon here unless you're a keen birder or botanist. What it does offer is a pleasant walk if you're staying at Oakmoor Touring Park nearby - five minutes' drive away - and want to stretch your legs without heading into town. The fields give you open views across Devon's rolling landscape, which is the real draw. Early morning or dusk is best for spotting anything wildlife-wise; midday it's just an ordinary field.

For families, it's bit underwhelming unless the kids are into spotting insects or you're after a quick dog walk. Walkers might enjoy it as a stopping point if you're linking longer routes around Newton Abbot, but you won't want to camp here for hours. The whole appeal is in its simplicity - no facilities to speak of, no dramatic viewpoints, just quiet grassland on the edge of town. Worth a wander if you're based at the touring park and the weather's decent. Otherwise, Newton Abbot's town centre offers more substantial attractions.