Stoodleigh Wood

The woodland around Stoodleigh sits just inland from Watchet, offering the sort of proper Somerset walking that doesn't require booking ahead or paying at a gate. It's genuine forest rather than a manicured country estate - the kind of place where you can actually lose an hour without noticing.

What you get here is straightforward: a chance to walk among decent-sized trees, breathe in that damp woodland air, and escape the caravan parks clustered along the coast. The paths aren't sign-posted within an inch of their lives. You navigate by instinct and the occasional root, which honestly adds to the appeal. Families with young walkers will find it manageable enough, though it's not a destination that'll keep restless kids entertained for hours. History types won't find much to grab onto - this is about the walk itself, not the back-story.

If you're staying at Haven Doniford Bay or Warren Bay Holiday Village, Stoodleigh Wood makes a proper alternative to another beach day. It's close enough for a morning mission - maybe ninety minutes including a meander - and far enough removed from the holiday park chaos to feel like you've actually gone somewhere. Go when it's not dripping wet, obviously. Summer's ideal, though autumn has its moments if the trees have turned.

Don't expect facilities or a visitor centre. There's Watchet nearby for a pint and chips afterwards. The wood itself is free, accessible, and exactly what the South West needs more of - ungoverned, untidy, and genuinely pleasant.