Hollam Wood

Hollam Wood sits on the outskirts of Tiverton, a proper slice of Devon woodland that doesn't require any fanfare to justify a visit. It's the kind of place where you can lose an hour wandering between the trees without seeing another soul, which is exactly the point. The forest floor is thick with moss and leaf litter, and on a decent day the dappled light through the canopy is genuinely lovely.

Walkers will get the most from this one. There's no manicured trail system to speak of, so you're picking your own way through, which means you need a bit of confidence with navigation and sturdy boots. In autumn the colours are excellent, and spring brings bluebells if you time it right. Kids might manage 45 minutes to an hour before getting restless unless they're the type who genuinely enjoy poking about in undergrowth looking for creatures.

There's no entrance fee or visitor facilities - just park sensibly near the wood and go. It's free in the truest sense. Allow two hours if you want a proper wander without rushing. The beauty of Hollam Wood is that it's unpretentious. No gift shop, no car park attendant, no information board telling you what you should be seeing. If you're staying at Nirvana Glamping nearby, it's a solid half-hour walk away and worth adding to your itinerary between more structured attractions. It's the kind of place that reminds you why people move to Devon in the first place.