Ridgetop Park

The ridge itself gives you away before you arrive - you'll spot the high ground rising above Exeter's sprawl, and that's where Ridgetop Park sits. It's a proper nature reserve, the kind where you're walking through Devon woodland one minute and suddenly the city drops away beneath you. The views back towards Exeter are the main draw here, especially on clear days when you can see properly across the valley.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's not a destination where you'd spend all afternoon - perhaps ninety minutes to two hours if you explore the full loop - but the trails are decent and the air clears your head after the drive down from the north. The undergrowth changes with the seasons, and you'll spot local birdlife without too much effort. Families with older kids will manage fine; younger ones might struggle with the concentration needed on a longer visit.

Ridgetop works well as a morning walk if you're staying at Cofton Holidays, just five or so miles away - enough of a drive to feel like a proper outing, but close enough that you're not spending half the day travelling. The reserve has that unpretentious quality you want from a local nature spot: no visitor centre nonsense, no gift shop, just woodland and open air.

Access appears to be free, though details are thin on the ground. Best bet is checking the Devon Wildlife Trust website for current opening times before you go.