Instow Picnic Spot

The banks of the River Torridge at Instow are one of those proper quiet spots you stumble upon when you're not expecting much. A designated picnic area overlooks the tidal estuary where the river opens into Bideford Bay - the views stretch across mudflats and salt marsh, and when the light's right at late afternoon, it's genuinely lovely. You get wading birds, the occasional heron, sometimes seals if you're lucky. The walking is gentle here; there's a coastal path linking through to Appledore, so you can easily spin out a couple of hours exploring the shoreline without breaking a sweat.

It's free, naturally, and works brilliantly as a half-day stop when you're basing yourself at one of the nearby parks like Braddicks or Ocean Pitch Campsite just a few miles away. Families with younger children will find it manageable - the picnic area itself is accessible, though the terrain underfoot gets soft and muddy depending on the tide and season. Bring proper shoes. History buffs might find the old boat slips interesting, remnants of when this was a proper working riverside. Walkers will appreciate the fact it connects to larger estuary trails without feeling forced. Pack lunch, mind the tides if you're planning to wander the foreshore, and expect it to be fairly quiet even in summer. It's not a destination in itself, but as part of a longer holiday around Bideford and the North Devon coast, it punches above its weight.