NewPark

The paths through NewPark wind through proper Devon woodland, the sort of place where you actually hear birdsong instead of traffic. It's a nature reserve just outside Plymouth, which makes it unexpectedly useful if you're based at one of the local holiday parks like Langstone Manor and need to stretch your legs without driving far.

What you get is woodland trails of varying difficulty, some open grassland, and decent opportunities to spot wildlife if you're patient. It's the kind of place where families with younger kids can manage an hour or so without complaint, though keen walkers will want longer. The terrain isn't challenging - more gentle rambling than anything strenuous.

The real appeal here is accessibility. You're not trekking to some remote corner of Dartmoor; this is on Plymouth's doorstep. If the weather turns or you fancy a quieter alternative to the bigger attractions, NewPark fills that gap well enough. Don't expect dramatic vistas or rare species you've never heard of. It's straightforward woodland walking in a county that offers far more impressive natural spaces.

Bring decent shoes rather than trainers - the ground gets boggy in places, even days after rain. Spring's probably the best time, when the woodland floor comes alive before everything gets too thick with summer growth. Allow a couple of hours if you're not rushing.