Horsey Pool

The water at Horsey Pool sits perfectly still on most days, reflecting the Devon sky like a sheet of dark glass. It's a small lake just outside Kingsbridge, the sort of place locals know but tourists often miss entirely.

You can walk right round it without breaking much of a sweat - takes about twenty minutes at a gentle pace. The footpath hugs the shoreline, and there are spots where you can sit and actually hear yourself think. Ducks potter about. If you're lucky you'll see a heron stalking the shallows. Birdwatchers do well here, particularly in spring and winter when migrating species pass through.

There's fishing too, if that's your thing, though you'll want to check local rules first. Families with small children find it manageable - no dramatic drops, mostly level ground - though frankly there's not masses to do once you've done the circuit. An hour, maybe ninety minutes if you're particularly leisurely.

If you're staying at Karrageen Caravan & Camping Park just down the road, this makes an easy afternoon stroll. It's the sort of place to slot into a broader South Hams walking day rather than travel for specifically. Worth knowing about if you're in the area, rather than worth rerouting for. But on a crisp morning with low light catching the water, it's genuinely lovely.