Tothill Park

Tothill Park sits just outside Plymouth and is one of those proper local reserves that doesn't get the crowds of the bigger-name spots. It's a stretch of woodland and grassland that actually feels like you've stepped away from the city, despite being barely five minutes from the outskirts.

You're looking at gentle woodland walks through mixed habitat - the kind of place where birdwatchers quietly obsess over warblers and wrens, while families with younger kids can manage the easier paths without drama. There's open grassland too, which is brilliant when you want a bit of breathing room. The reserve isn't enormous - reckon on an hour to ninety minutes if you're being thorough - but it's proper worth the visit if you're already in Plymouth or staying at Dartmoor Domes nearby.

Historically it's managed as a nature reserve to protect local wildlife and maintain the habitat, though it won't overwhelm you with interpretation boards or facilities. Go during spring and early summer for the best birdsong and wildflowers. Winter's fine too if you like quieter walks.

The main draw here is the escape value rather than any single showstopper feature. If you're combining it with a holiday at Dartmoor Domes, it's close enough to pop to when you want an easy half-day, and it sits nicely as a warm-up walk before tackling the more serious terrain of actual Dartmoor. Not every visit needs to be a full expedition.