Little Wood

Just outside Bude, Little Wood is a proper woodland walk that doesn't pretend to be anything grander than it actually is - and that's precisely what makes it worth an afternoon. You're looking at a small managed forest with decent paths cutting through, the kind of place where you can clear your head for an hour without needing special equipment or advance planning.

The trees are a mix of conifers and broadleaf, so it's green year-round, though autumn is when the place actually earns its stripes. The paths are mostly flat and well-maintained, making this ideal if you've got older kids or are recovering from a heavy walking day on the coastal paths around Bude. You won't need more than 90 minutes here, possibly two hours if you're the type to sit and listen to birdsong.

It's free to access - no visitor centre, no car park fees, just genuinely open to wander. Bring wellies though; the ground gets boggy after rain, especially deeper in. The nearest car park is straightforward enough, and Bude itself is close enough that you could easily combine this with a coastal walk or fish and chips on the way home.

If you're staying at Pencuke Farm Holiday Cottages or the Bude Camping and Caravanning Club Site nearby, this works as a rainy-day backup or a gentler alternative to the clifftop circuits. It's not dramatic, but it's reliable - the kind of woodland where you'll actually relax rather than work too hard.