Oaklands Woods hiking and nature reserve

The woodland trails here wind through proper Devon countryside, just inland from Dawlish. It's the kind of place where you actually feel like you've stepped away from the seaside sprawl, even though you're barely a couple of miles from the holiday parks dotted along the coast.

Oaklands Woods is a working nature reserve, not a manicured visitor attraction. The paths meander through mixed woodland - oak, beech, and pine mostly - with the occasional clearing where you might spot deer or if you're lucky, wood warblers in spring. There's no visitor centre, no gift shop, no entrance fee nonsense. You just turn up and walk.

For families with walkers aged seven or up, this is excellent. Younger kids might find it a bit samey after half an hour unless they're genuinely into spotting wildlife. The terrain is straightforward - no scrambling or anything punishing - but it does get muddy after rain, which is almost guaranteed in Devon.

Allot a couple of hours if you want to do a decent loop without rushing. Early morning is when you'll see the most animals and hear the birds properly. Weekday visits beat weekends by miles.

If you're staying at Lady's Mile, Golden Sands, or any of the nearer holiday parks, this is genuinely worth the short drive. It's the sort of thing that rounds out a holiday nicely - not a headline attraction, but proper outdoor time without the queues. Beats another day on Dawlish Beach, frankly.