National Trust - Heddon Valley

The valley drops away like someone's pulled a curtain back on the Devon coast. Heddon Valley, managed by the National Trust, is a proper slice of North Devon that most tourists heading to Ilfracombe walk straight past without realising what they're missing.

You get a wooded valley that runs down to the sea, with a shingle beach at the mouth and the sort of walking trails that feel genuinely wild without being actually dangerous. The valley itself is the thing - steep sides thick with oak and ash, a stream running through, and enough paths to keep you occupied for a good two or three hours if you're keen. The walk down takes about forty minutes on the main path, though there are options to loop around if you want to stretch it out.

It's brilliant for families who've got kids that can manage a decent walk without complaining the whole way. Teenagers might find it a bit boring if you're not the outdoorsy type, but walkers will love it. The views back towards the cliffs are solid, and you can see why the Trust bothers protecting it.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Longlands is barely three miles away, and Sandaway Beach just over five - this is an easy half-day venture. Free to access and no faffing about with opening hours. The nearest town is Ilfracombe, about thirty minutes' drive away if the weather turns and you need a coffee. Go when it's not heaving with school holidays. October through May feels about right.