Dowlish Brook

The brook itself is the thing here - a proper little watercourse that winds through Somerset countryside near Crewkerne, the sort of place you'd stumble upon rather than plan an expedition to. It's not a dramatic waterfall or a show-stopping reservoir, just a stream doing what streams do, but that's rather the point. You can walk alongside it, dip in if the weather's been kind, and generally pretend you've discovered somewhere nobody else knows about, even though plenty of people do.

This works best for families wanting a gentle stroll with water to keep the kids entertained, or walkers using it as part of a longer circuit through the local footpaths. An hour's exploration is probably enough unless you're combining it with other walks in the area. There's nothing to pay, nothing to book - you just turn up and have at it. Timing-wise, spring's lovely when the water's flowing properly, though summer visits mean you won't get soaked if you take a wrong step.

If you're based at Wytch Wood Camping or Dimpsey Shepherd's Hut Glamping nearby, this makes a solid half-day option to stretch your legs. It's the kind of place that rounds out a park holiday nicely - not the main event, but the sort of ramble that reminds you why you came to Somerset in the first place. Low-key, free, and genuinely pleasant.