The Gnome Reserve and Wildflower Garden

You'll either love this or think it's barking mad. The Gnome Reserve near Bideford is exactly what it sounds like - two acres stuffed with over 2,000 garden gnomes in various states of cheeky mischief, surrounded by wildflower gardens that bloom properly in summer. It's genuinely odd in the best way, the kind of place that makes you smile at the sheer commitment to the absurd.

The gnomes are everywhere. Fishing in ponds, riding motorcycles, doing yoga, having a pint. Someone has thought these through with real care and humour. The wildflower meadows are lovely between May and September, and they genuinely attract bees and butterflies rather than just looking pretty. You're wandering through an actual habitat, not just a garden centre.

This works best for families with kids old enough to appreciate the comedy of it all - under-fives might just see garden decorations and get bored after half an hour. Adults who don't mind a bit of whimsy will find themselves spending longer than expected photographing gnomes in ridiculous poses. Allow an hour minimum, two if you're the type to read every gnome's name tag.

It's free or very cheap (prices aren't confirmed), making it a decent filler between park stays at Roeys Retreat or Broad Park Camping, both within spitting distance. Peak time is late spring through summer when the wildflowers are doing their thing. Winter's quieter but the gnomes look rather lonely in the rain.