Land of Canaan

The Land of Canaan sprawls across Devon moorland just outside West Hill, a proper slice of wild countryside that feels genuinely remote despite being minutes from civilization. It's a nature reserve, which means you're walking through restored habitat rather than a manicured garden - expect boggy patches, gorse thickets, and the kind of open vistas that make you understand why people move to Devon.

What you actually do here is walk. There are trails threading through the reserve, and the appeal lies entirely in whether you enjoy that sort of thing. If you're the type who gets a kick from spotting heather and hearing curlews, you'll find it worthwhile. If you need facilities, a visitor centre, or somewhere to buy a coffee, you'll be disappointed. The reserve is working land, not an attraction in the visitor-centre sense.

It suits walkers and anyone interested in conservation or moorland ecology. Families with young children might find the lack of defined paths and amenities a bit challenging, though older kids who enjoy exploring will get more from it. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're actually walking properly rather than just having a quick look around.

Stay at Cuckoo Down Farm Glamping just 1.8 miles away and you've got proper moorland on your doorstep. Oakdown, five miles south, gives you more traditional caravan facilities if that's more your speed. Either way, the Land of Canaan works best as part of a broader Devon walking holiday rather than a standalone destination.