RSPB Aylesbeare Common

Aylesbeare Common is proper heathland, the kind of place where you actually notice the absence of noise. It's managed by the RSPB and sits just outside Exeter, making it an easy escape if you're staying at Castle Brake or Cuckoo Down Farm. The landscape is open and rolling - heather, gorse, and scattered pines rather than woodland. Granite outcrops break through here and there, which is why geologists get genuinely excited about it.

You're here for the birds and the walking. This is one of the last significant lowland heaths in Devon, which means it supports species you won't find in your back garden. Dartford warblers, nightjars at dusk if you time it right, and if you're lucky, hoopoes passing through. The walking is straightforward rather than strenuous - the paths are well-trodden and the terrain doesn't demand much in the way of fitness.

Allow two to three hours if you want to do the circuit properly and actually spot something. Spring and early summer are when the birdsong justifies the visit. Winter is quieter but still decent if you're after a bracing walk with fewer crowds.

The admission is free, naturally - it's an RSPB reserve. Bring binoculars if you've got them; you'll see more. Parking is straightforward, and it's close enough to Ladram Bay or Haven Devon Cliffs if you want to combine it with a coastal day. It won't blow your mind, but it's honest ground, and the peace does something.