Rakehill Copse

Deep woodland near Honiton where the canopy closes in properly and you forget the outside world exists for a bit. Rakehill Copse is a modest forest walk - nothing dramatic, but that's rather the point. The trees are dense enough that it stays cool even when the rest of Devon is sweltering, and there's genuine quiet here, the sort you don't get on marked trails packed with families.

It's walker territory, really. You won't find interpretation boards or a visitor centre - this is just trees, paths, and the occasional shaft of light breaking through. Depending which way you head in, you could spend anything from thirty minutes to a couple of hours pottering about. The ground stays reasonably dry even after rain because of the woodland drainage, so it's walkable year-round without needing to be mountaineering-grade prepared.

Families with older kids who actually enjoy forests rather than need entertainment will get something from it. Younger ones might find it a bit samey after half an hour. If you're after something with more bells and whistles, this isn't it - there's no playground, no cafe, nowhere to buy a coffee.

What makes it work is the timing. Stay at Hartridge Springs Spa Glamping or Dimpsey Shepherd's Hut Glamping nearby and use Rakehill for a morning walk before heading somewhere busier. It's the sort of place that reminds you why you left the city. Free access, no hassle, proper woodland.