Rushbush Copse

The walk into Rushbush Copse from Bideford takes you through proper Devon woodland - the kind where the light filters green through the canopy and the path gets properly muddy after rain. It's a small forest rather than a sprawling expanse, which actually works in its favour. You're not wandering about for hours trying to find your way out.

What you get here are the basics done well: ancient trees, quiet footpaths, and enough space to actually hear yourself think. There's birdsong, the occasional squirrel, and if you time it right in spring or early autumn, the light through the leaves is genuinely lovely. Families with young kids will find it manageable - it's not a three-hour trek - and the woodland floor is soft underfoot. Walkers and nature types will appreciate it far more than those expecting dramatic vistas or facilities.

There's no visitor centre or café, which is either a bonus or a pain depending on your outlook. It's free to access, and you can easily spend an hour to ninety minutes pottering about without feeling rushed. The real appeal lies in its proximity to Bideford and those excellent nearby camps like Roeys Retreat and Coastal Cabins Glamping - both within a couple of miles. It's the sort of spot you'd slip into between beach days or as a morning walk before heading to the coast. Nothing fancy, nothing overhyped. Just a decent bit of Devon woodland that does exactly what it says on the tin.