Moxey's Copse

The woodland here feels properly managed without being sterile - someone clearly cares about the paths and the mix of trees. Moxey's Copse is a modest forest patch near Exeter, the sort of place locals know well but visitors might easily miss if they're just passing through Devon.

It's a straightforward walk rather than a major expedition. The canopy is thick enough to feel like you've escaped the city, even though Exeter isn't far away. You'll find yourself on well-trodden trails that meander through oak and beech, with enough shade that it's genuinely pleasant on hot days. In autumn the colours are decent - nothing dramatic, but golden and honest.

This suits families after a quick ramble without the crowds or the two-hour commitment that bigger woodland walks demand. If your kids are under eight, they'll be happy for forty minutes to an hour. Older children might want something with more of an objective - a viewpoint or a lake.

Historians probably won't find much to grab onto here, but that's fine. It's a proper breathing space rather than a destination attraction. The lack of fanfare actually works in its favour. You won't fight through day-trippers or feel like you're ticking a box.

If you're staying at Sunsets & Marshmallows Glamping just six miles away, this makes an easy morning out before heading elsewhere. Free admission, obviously - it's a forest. Go early if you can, or mid-week. Weekends bring more people, but it never gets properly rammed.