Luscott Plantation

Ancient woodlands don't come much more atmospheric than this sprawling plantation tucked into the rolling hills south of Ilfracombe. The forest stretches across several hundred acres of mixed conifers and deciduous trees, creating a proper sense of wilderness that's surprisingly rare in Devon.

Families with older children will love the network of rough paths that wind through the trees - though don't expect manicured trails or clear waymarking. This is proper countryside walking where you might genuinely lose the path for a few minutes. The terrain can get boggy after rain, so decent boots are essential.

Birdwatchers have a field day here. The dense canopy attracts everything from woodpeckers to buzzards, and the dawn chorus in spring is genuinely spectacular. I spotted three different owl species during a late afternoon visit in October.

What strikes you most is the silence once you're deep in the woods. Traffic noise from nearby roads fades completely, replaced by wind through branches and the occasional crack of falling timber. It's the kind of place where children naturally lower their voices and start noticing things.

From holiday parks like Stowford Farm Meadows or Golden Coast, it's an easy drive for a morning walk. Allow at least two hours to do it justice, and bring a map - mobile signal can be patchy in the deeper sections.