Follaton Arboretum

Walking through Follaton Arboretum near South Brent feels like stepping into someone's carefully curated woodland garden - because that's essentially what it is. This isn't a wild nature reserve; it's a working arboretum where someone has spent decades planting trees from around the world and letting them grow into something genuinely special.

You'll find yourself among mature specimens - oaks, beeches, conifers from distant continents - arranged in ways that invite you to slow down and actually look at them. It's the sort of place where tree enthusiasts will spend hours identifying species and taking notes, while regular walkers get a proper woodland amble with decent paths and the satisfaction of knowing exactly what they're looking at. The atmosphere shifts between sections; some bits feel formal and parkland-like, others more wild and overgrown, which keeps things interesting.

The main appeal here is botanical rather than spectacular views or dramatic features. There's no café, no visitor centre, no facilities to speak of. Bring a tree guide if you're serious about it. Allow two hours if you want to see most of it properly without rushing. It works brilliantly as a quiet half-day break from a longer Devon holiday - Ashbourne Woods is just 3.6 miles away if you're looking for a base with more amenities.

Best visited in autumn when the visiting trees show their colours, though spring's fresh growth is lovely too. Not for those after adrenaline or Instagram moments, but absolutely worth a detour if you genuinely care about woodlands.