Harthanger Wood

You'll find yourself walking among ancient beech and oak once you venture into Harthanger Wood, just inland from Minehead. The canopy here is genuinely thick - on a grey Somerset day it feels rather cathedral-like, all soft light filtering through leaves. The woodland paths are straightforward enough, though muddy after rain, and there's a real sense of being properly away from the coast despite only being a short drive from the caravan parks dotted around Minehead.

It's the kind of place that rewards a slow meander rather than a brisk march through. Families with younger kids will find it manageable - the main paths don't demand hiking boots - though older children might get restless if you're not stopping to look for wildlife or climbing on fallen trees. Walkers are the real winners here. The wood sits well as part of a longer ramble through the Exmoor edges, and you can string together a proper afternoon outing rather than treating it as a standalone stop.

There's no visitor centre or facilities that I'm aware of, so come prepared. Car parking is limited but adequate. The best approach is to treat it as a breathing space during a Minehead-based holiday - perfect for getting under the trees on a sticky summer day when the seafront feels too crowded. Autumn's lovely here too, though February through April, when the woodland floor comes alive, is genuinely worth timing a visit around. Free to access, no fuss.