Nethercott Wood

The trees here are proper tall, and the ground underfoot stays soft even after rain - that's the first thing you notice walking into Nethercott Wood near Tiverton. It's a genuine working forest rather than a manicured country estate, which means you get the real thing: dappled light through Douglas firs and spruce, the smell of earth and resin, and the kind of quiet that only happens when you're genuinely surrounded by woodland.

Walking the paths takes anything from 45 minutes to a couple of hours depending on which way you go. The terrain's gentle enough for families with older kids, though younger ones might find it a bit samey after a while - it's forest throughout, not the sort of place with dramatic viewpoints or ruins to hunt for. But if you're after a proper dose of Devon woodland without the crowds of somewhere like Dartmoor, this delivers. The air feels cleaner in here.

There's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, which is part of the appeal. Come during autumn and the undergrowth is crackling; spring brings bluebells in scattered patches. Summer can feel airless between the trees, and winter is when you really notice how many birds nest in here.

It works brilliantly if you're staying at Nirvana Glamping just down the road - adds a proper walk to your day without eating up hours. Not spectacular, but it's the kind of place that makes you understand why people move to Devon.