Hawkes Wood

Walking into Hawkes Wood from Wadebridge feels like stepping properly off the beaten track. This woodland sits quietly between the main tourist spots, which means you'll often have the place nearly to yourself - a rare thing in Cornwall these days.

It's a straightforward woodland walk rather than a manicured attraction. The trees crowd in, paths wind through, and if you time it right in spring you'll see bluebells. Summer's too muggy sometimes, but autumn when the light filters through the canopy is genuinely lovely. You're looking at a decent ramble here - allow a good hour if you're taking photographs, less if you're just powering through.

Families with kids who like exploring will manage fine. Buggies? Forget it - the paths aren't set up for them. Older children who don't mind getting their trainers muddy will actually enjoy the freedom of it. Walkers heading north towards Padstow or based at The Laurels Holiday Park nearby should absolutely include this on their itinerary. History buffs won't find much to explain things, but there's something satisfying about woodland this old.

It's free to visit, which helps. No facilities, no café, no visitor centre - just trees and quiet. That's either brilliant or a bit pointless depending on what you want from a day out. If you're after heritage attractions and manicured gardens, look elsewhere. If you want an hour of actual forest without the noise, this delivers.