Roach Copse

A proper woodland walk rather than a formal attraction, Roach Copse sits just outside Exeter and offers something genuine - the kind of place where you actually feel like you've left the city behind, even though you haven't gone far. The forest itself is mixed woodland, dense enough to feel secluded but well-walked enough that you won't get lost. It's the sort of spot where dog walkers outnumber tourists, which tells you something.

You're looking at a decent stretch of paths through beech and oak, nothing dramatically steep but enough undulation to keep things interesting. The canopy does proper work here - it's noticeably cooler and quieter than the surrounding area. Families with younger kids might manage an hour comfortably; serious walkers could spend a good half day exploring the network without it becoming tedious.

It's free to access, which is the main point, and there's no particular season where you need to visit - though autumn's genuinely good if the leaves are doing their thing. Spring's equally lovely when the woodland floor comes alive.

If you're based at Cuckoo Down Farm Glamping nearby, this makes a solid mid-morning outing before heading elsewhere. It's not a destination in itself - nobody's driving from Manchester for Roach Copse - but as part of a Devon forest crawl, or a quick leg-stretch from Exeter, it absolutely justifies the detour. Proper local woodland, properly accessible.