Idston Wood

The woodland around Idston isn't going to blow your mind with dramatic vistas or rare species, but it's a proper place to stretch your legs if you're camping near Kingsbridge. You get decent woodland walking through mixed trees, the sort of place where you can actually hear birdsong without traffic noise in the background. A few paths wind through, nothing too demanding, and the cover is useful on a drizzly day - which, let's be honest, you'll get plenty of in Devon.

Walkers after a straightforward hour or so in the trees will find enough here to justify the trip. Families with young kids can manage it without complaints, though there's no playground infrastructure or visitor facilities, so come prepared. It's the kind of spot where you can actually think, which is probably why people come at all.

The beauty of Idston Wood is how it slots into a wider South Devon walking routine. You're only a few miles from the camping at Lower Terawhiti Farm or the glamping at Hidden Hill, both solid bases if you're planning a few days exploring the area. Combine it with a coastal walk towards Salcombe or Dartmouth, and you've got a decent two or three day loop sorted. Not a destination on its own, but absolutely worth the diversion if you're already in the region with a tent or caravan.