Highbeck Covert

The woodland at Highbeck Covert is the sort of place that rewards a proper wander rather than a quick tick-off-the-list visit. Somerset's terrain here is dense and quiet - tall trees blocking out most of the sky, the kind of forest floor that muffles your footsteps and makes you feel properly away from things despite being just outside Taunton.

It's ideal for anyone who wants a straightforward woodland walk without the crowds you'd find at a designated nature reserve. Families with young children might get twenty minutes of happy exploring out of it before the trees start to feel samey; older kids and adults who actually enjoy being in woods will find it genuinely pleasant. The canopy's thick enough that even on a drizzly day it stays relatively dry underfoot.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, which means it's completely free and you can arrive whenever suits you. Allow an hour or so for a decent potter about, longer if you're the type who stops to look at bark and listen for birds. You won't find dramatic viewpoints or dramatic anything really - it's just good, solid woodland.

If you're bunking down at Warren Bay Holiday Village or Hoburne Blue Anchor, both barely a mile away, this is an easy morning detour before hitting the beach. Same goes if you're further afield at Haven Doniford Bay. It won't be the highlight of your week, but it's the sort of local amenity that makes a park holiday feel less marooned.