Iltoncastle Plantation

The woodland here runs deep and proper green, with dense plantations that feel a world away from the nearby coast near Kingsbridge. You're looking at mature conifers mixed with broadleaf trees - the sort of place where the canopy gets so thick you'll want a torch on a grey afternoon, even if it's technically daytime. The walks are straightforward enough, nothing mountaineering about it, though the paths can get boggy if it's been raining, which in Devon it usually has.

Walkers will get the most from this - there's something meditative about the place, the kind of forest where you can actually think. Kids might find it a bit samey after half an hour unless you're the type to hunt for logs and bugs. The paths aren't signposted brilliantly, so bring a map or download offline access to your phone before you arrive.

It works well as a morning walk if you're staying at Karrageen Caravan & Camping Park, barely twenty minutes away. The admission situation isn't entirely clear - approach from the road and you'll likely find it accessible, though always check locally in Kingsbridge before you head out. Allow ninety minutes if you want a proper ramble without rushing. Go midweek if you can; weekends can bring the dog walkers out in force. The light's better in early morning anyway, cuts through the gloom.