East Wood

East Wood sits just outside Holford, a proper Quantocks forest where you can actually breathe without bumping into crowds. It's the sort of place locals know about and tourists miss, which is exactly why it's worth the drive from your holiday park base.

The woodland itself is ancient - oak and beech mostly, with a decent network of paths that range from gentle strolls to proper leg-stretchers depending on your mood. The ground stays reasonably firm even after rain, which beats trudging through bog. You'll pass through sections where the canopy gets so thick the light turns almost green. On a quiet morning it's genuinely peaceful.

This works best for walkers and families who want space to spread out. Young kids will entertain themselves turning over logs and spotting insects. If you're after a destination cafe or visitor centre, you won't find one - bring a flask and a packed lunch instead. Most people allow two to three hours, though you can easily spend longer if you meander.

It's free to access and there's parking nearby. Worth combining with a visit to Holford village itself, which has a couple of decent pubs and sits on the edge of Quantock country. If you're based at Moorhouse Campsite just down the road or staying at one of the other holiday parks in the area, East Wood makes for a proper morning's walking without the tourist hassle of bigger attractions. The Quantocks as a whole are excellent for this sort of quiet exploring.