Lukesland Wood

The woodland canopy here is properly dense - ancient oaks and sweet chestnuts tower overhead, blocking out most of the sky even on a bright day. Lukesland Wood sprawls across a sizeable chunk of Devon countryside just outside Plymouth, offering a quiet escape from the city without needing to drive far. Bring decent shoes because the paths get boggy after rain, which they often do in South West England.

Walkers get the most from this place. The trails wind through mature forest where you'll spot bluebells in spring and fungi poking through leaf litter come autumn. Kids under about ten might find it a bit samey after 45 minutes - it's trees and more trees, no dramatic viewpoints or ruins to break things up. If you're after dramatic woodland theatre, head somewhere else. This is gentle, contemplative forest work.

There's no visitor centre or facilities that we could pin down, so arrive prepared with water and a packed lunch if you're planning a longer walk. The wood is free to enter, which is a plus. A couple of hours is the natural length for most people - enough to feel you've properly walked through something substantial without overdoing it.

Stay at Hidden Hill Devon, the luxury glamping spot nearby with hot tubs, and you've got an easy morning jaunt into proper woodland without committing to a full-day expedition. Perfect for fitting between other Plymouth-area stuff rather than a destination in itself.