Roadford Lake Woods

The woods around Roadford Lake feel properly remote even though you're only a stone's throw from Okehampton. It's a water authority site with serious walk potential - the lake itself is huge and the surrounding woodland gives you proper shelter when the Devon weather turns damp, which it will.

You get a decent loop walk around the water's edge with views across the reservoir that shift depending on where you stand. The trees are mixed - pine plantations mixed with native broadleaf - so there's always something different to look at. Birdwatchers will spend hours here. Families with younger legs might find the full circuit exhausting, but there are shorter options if you're honest about fitness levels.

It's free to access and open to the public, though facilities are minimal - basically a car park and a path. No cafes, no visitor centre nonsense. Bring water and decent boots because the ground gets boggy in places. Allow a couple of hours minimum if you're doing the main loop; half that if you just fancy a quick shuffle.

If you're camping at Wolf Wood Treehouses nearby, this makes a proper morning walk before settling in for afternoon drinks. The quietness is the real draw - you'll see far fewer people than at Dartmoor's busier spots. Lydford Caravan Park is also close enough for a day trip. Worth it if you're keen on woodland walking and don't need constant facilities.