Sowden End

The walk to Sowden End from Dawlish takes you inland from the seafront crowds, which is precisely the point. This Devon nature reserve sits quietly between the holiday parks and the town centre, offering exactly what you'd expect - woodland paths, open grassland, and the sort of place where you might actually hear birdsong instead of arcade machines.

It's a proper local spot, the kind where dog walkers outnumber tourists and the paths stay muddy even when it hasn't rained for a week. The reserve itself isn't vast, so don't expect hours of hiking, but it works brilliantly as a half-morning excursion or an afternoon leg-stretch if you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Dawlish Sands or Haven Devon Cliffs. Families with younger kids will manage it fine, though teenagers might find it a bit tame.

The appeal is straightforward - you get into some genuine countryside within walking distance of the beach. Depending on the season, you'll spot different bird species, and there's enough variation in the landscape to keep things interesting. Spring and autumn are when it's most alive.

I'd allow around 90 minutes for a proper poke around without rushing. It's free, naturally, and there's no visitor centre or facilities to speak of, so bring water. The real value is that it breaks up a holiday spent entirely on sand and gives you a genuine slice of Devon rather than the postcard version. Worth the detour if you're based locally, less so if you're making a special trip.