Longpark Wood

Walking into Longpark Wood feels like stepping back about fifty years - it's the kind of place where you can actually hear yourself think, which is rarer than you'd expect in South Devon. The woodland sprawls across decent acreage near Kingsbridge, offering proper forest trails through mature trees with enough shade to keep things cool even on warmer days.

It's genuinely good for families with older kids and anyone after a straightforward woodland walk without the crowds. Younger children might find the paths a bit samey after thirty minutes or so, but if you're after somewhere to burn off energy without faffing about with rope courses or visitor centres, this does the job. Walkers will appreciate the peace - no screaming peacocks or gift shops here.

The wood works particularly well as part of a broader exploration of the Kingsbridge area. Couple it with time at one of the local campsites - Start Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite or Karrageen are both within six miles - and you've got yourself a low-key few days outdoors. It's the sort of place you stumble through between beach visits and coastal walks rather than a destination in itself, but that's not a criticism. Sometimes that's exactly what you need.

No visitor infrastructure to speak of, so bring water and check the ground conditions after rain - it can get boggy in places. Free admission, obviously, and no time restrictions. Go mid-week if you can; weekends bring the local dog-walkers out in force.