Kenbury Wood

The woodland around Kenbury feels proper Devon - dense enough to feel like a proper escape, yet close enough to Exeter that you can be there in twenty minutes from the city centre. Ancient oak and beech dominate the canopy, and the paths wind through with minimal fuss, which is either a relief or a disappointment depending on whether you're after manicured trails or genuine forest floor.

It's the sort of place walkers come to clear their heads rather than tick off a destination. The trees are what you're here for - no visitor centre, no cafe, no interpretive boards telling you what you already know. Local dog walkers use it constantly, which tells you it's accessible enough for regular folk but genuine enough not to feel overworked.

Family groups with primary-aged children will get a decent hour or two here; older teenagers might find it a bit thin on excitement unless they're genuinely into woodland ecology. The real appeal is the quiet. You can hear actual birds instead of yourself thinking about work.

If you're based at one of the nearby holiday parks - Dawlish Sands, Welcome Family, Golden Sands, or Lady's Mile - all within six miles - Kenbury Wood slots in nicely as a morning walk before heading to the coast. It's free to enter, naturally, with no barriers or gates to speak of. Go early if you want solitude; weekends pull in the regulars from Exeter.