Lilly Copse

Walking into Lilly Copse near Watchet is like stepping back about fifty years - it's proper woodland, the kind where you actually hear yourself think. Ancient oaks and dense undergrowth make it feel older than it probably is, with paths that wind through without any of the manicured nonsense you get at country estates.

It's a small wood, honestly. You're looking at maybe 30-45 minutes to walk the main routes without rushing, which means it works brilliantly if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Haven Doniford Bay or Warren Bay - and want a quick leg-stretch without abandoning the kids for half the day. The woodland floor is uneven in places, so wear proper boots rather than trainers.

Family groups will find it manageable. There's shade, there's something to do that's actually outdoors rather than amusement arcades, and children tend to perk up when there are trees instead of manicured lawns. Walkers doing the longer routes through Somerset will appreciate it as a detour - it breaks up the coastal paths nicely.

Hoburne Blue Anchor is just over four miles away if you're basing yourself there. What you won't find is picnic tables, visitor facilities, or anyone telling you what to do. That's actually the point. Come expecting woodland as it exists, not woodland as a tourist attraction, and you'll leave genuinely satisfied.