Shepherd's Down

The forest floor here is thick with pine needles and leaf litter - proper soft underfoot, which makes for decent walking even after rain. Shepherd's Down is a modest woodland tucked inland from Paignton, the sort of place locals know about but rarely make it onto postcards. You're getting coniferous forest mostly, with a decent network of paths cutting through if you fancy a wander. It's not vast, and it won't take you hours to explore, but that's rather the point.

For families staying nearby - and South Bay Holiday Park is just a couple of miles away - this works as an escape from the seaside crowds without needing to drive far. Kids who like spotting woodland creatures or clambering over fallen logs will get an hour or so out of it. History buffs won't find much to chew on here; it's genuinely just about the trees and the quiet. Walkers treating it as a leg-stretch between bigger outings will be satisfied, though don't expect dramatic views or challenging terrain. The paths are straightforward, which means buggies are manageable in drier conditions.

Timing-wise, early morning or late afternoon tends to be calmer. Summer weekends can draw the usual crowd, but it never feels rammed. There's something to be said for a woodland that doesn't require booking or queuing - turn up, walk about, head off. Not a destination holiday in itself, but exactly what you need when the caravan site is feeling confining.