Downs Wood

The woodland walks here feel proper North Devon - dense canopy, damp earth underfoot, the kind of place where you actually need to concentrate on the path rather than scrolling your phone. Downs Wood sits just outside Bideford and offers a genuine escape if you're staying at one of the nearby glamping spots like Coastal Cabins or Roeys Retreat.

It's not a manicured attraction with visitor centres or gift shops. This is a working forest where you can actually breathe, walk for an hour or so without seeing another soul, and listen to what passes for quiet in North Devon. The paths wind through proper woodland - oak, beech, the lot - and there's enough space to let kids burn off energy without worrying they'll suddenly find themselves on a main road.

Walkers will get more from it than most. Families with young children might find it satisfying for an afternoon, though there's no playground or café, so come prepared. The forest works best as part of a wider park visit - pair it with time at nearby Atlantic Horizons if you want a proper break from the seaside tourism that dominates the coast.

Timing wise, spring's when the woodland floor comes alive, but honestly any time outside August (when it gets rammed) is fine. Allow a couple of hours if you're not in a rush. Free to access, naturally. It's the kind of place that reminds you why you came to Devon rather than Blackpool.