Roundball Wood

A proper woodland walk rather than a manicured tourist spot, Roundball Wood sits inland from Sidmouth and offers the kind of forest experience you won't get on the seafront. The woodland floor is thick with leaf litter and dotted with beech and oak, making it feel genuinely wild despite being close to town. You're looking at old-growth woodland here - the sort of place where the light filters through in shafts and you can actually hear birdsong over the rustle of leaves.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a destination in itself - allow an hour or so - but it's brilliant for stretching your legs between beach days or as part of a longer ramble along the South West Coast Path. Families with younger kids might find it a bit samey after 20 minutes, unless they're properly into exploring fallen trees and hunting for insects. History buffs won't find much, but the woodland itself is old enough to be worth seeing.

The lack of formal facilities means it's free and relatively quiet, which is rather the point. Check conditions after heavy rain - it can get boggy. If you're based at Hartridge Springs Spa Glamping or Oakdown just down the road, this makes a solid half-morning outing before heading back to the caravan. It's the kind of woods that reminds you why Devon's countryside matters, without needing any bells and whistles.