Trevelyan Park

You'll find yourself in proper Devon countryside the moment you arrive at Trevelyon Park, just inland from Seaton. It's a nature reserve that feels genuinely wild without being difficult to explore - woodland paths wind through native trees, and if you're lucky you'll spot woodland birds and the occasional deer grazing in the clearings.

What makes it worth the drive from Beer Head Holiday Park or any of the local caravan sites is that it doesn't feel managed to death. You're walking through actual habitat, not a manicured garden. The trails vary in difficulty, so you can potter about for forty minutes if the kids are knackered, or spend a couple of hours properly exploring. Spring and early summer are brilliant - the wildflower margins attract butterflies by the dozen.

It's ideal for anyone wanting a proper woodland walk without heading up onto the moorland. History buffs might find something in the older tree lines suggesting ancient boundaries, though it's not one of those sites dripping with plaques and explanations. Families with young children should reckon on at least an hour here, assuming muddy boots and the inevitable toad-spotting detours.

The nearest facilities are in Seaton itself, a short drive away. Free admission as far as I could establish, though you'll want to check before you visit. On a weekday morning, you'll likely have the place almost to yourself - which is exactly the point.