The Alders

The Alders is a proper forest walk that sits just outside Minehead, offering something genuinely refreshing if you're staying at Butlins or the Caravan and Motorhome Club site. It's not a dramatic woodland - no ancient oaks or cathedral-like canopies - but rather a working forest with good paths that give you proper exercise without requiring hiking boots and a packed lunch.

You're walking through managed woodland here, which means it's well-maintained and easy to navigate. The main draw is simply getting away from the caravan parks for an hour or two. Families with kids aged five and up will manage it fine; younger ones might find it a bit long if you're after a full circuit. The paths are decent underfoot, even after rain, which matters when you're tramping about Somerset.

There's no visitor centre or facilities that I'm aware of, so bring water and don't expect to find a cafe halfway round. It's free to walk - that's the good bit - and you can do a short loop in forty minutes or take a longer route if you've got the energy. The real value here is as a break from holiday park life. Your kids will burn off some steam, you'll get fresh air, and it's close enough that you're not spending half your afternoon driving.

If you're after something with more drama, Exmoor National Park is nearby, but The Alders works better for a quick morning walk before heading to Minehead seafront or back for lunch. It's honest woodland, nothing more, nothing less.