Kenwith Valley nature reserve

The valley cuts through north Devon with a proper sense of wildness - steep wooded sides, a stream running through the bottom, and the kind of quiet you don't find near Bideford town centre. Kenwith Valley nature reserve is the sort of place where you can actually hear yourself think, which counts for something these days.

It's a walking destination, really. The paths take you down into the valley where woodland dominates - oak and beech mostly - and the stream creates these little pools that look inviting if you fancy a paddle. Birdwatchers do well here, and if you're into plants, the wet woodland floor supports some decent flora depending on the season. A good two-hour walk if you're not dawdling, less if you just want to get down to the water and back up.

Families with older kids will get something from it. Younger ones might find the steep bits tedious, and there's not much to do if you're after facilities - no visitor centre, no café, just the reserve itself. It's honest, in that way.

You're within easy reach of Braddicks Holiday Park and Owl Valley Glamping, both less than two miles away, which makes it a proper option for a morning or afternoon outing during a park-based break. Broad Park Camping is slightly further but still convenient. Go when it's not been raining hard - the paths get boggy - and wear decent footwear. The reward is solitude and actual woodland Devon, which these days feels like a luxury.