Volehouse Moor Nature Reserve, south entrance

A windswept stretch of open moorland that catches you off guard if you're expecting something manicured. Volehouse Moor's south entrance is the kind of place where you actually feel the weather - proper Atlantic gusts, sometimes mist rolling in from nowhere. It's moorland as it should be: rough, honest, not trying to be anything other than what it is.

The reserve protects a decent chunk of heathland just south of Bideford, and while there's no dramatic peaks or ruined castles to tick off, that's rather the point. You're here to walk, to spot heather and gorse, maybe catch a glimpse of the birds that use it for breeding. The south entrance gives you immediate access to the moor itself - no lengthy approach, just straight into it.

Walkers will get the most from this. Bring proper boots; the ground gets boggy. An hour's ramble is realistic if you're not trying to cross the entire reserve. Families with younger kids might find it a bit bare and exposed - there's nowhere to shelter if the weather turns, and the novelty wears off quickly for the under-eights.

Free to access, naturally. It's working moorland, not a visitor attraction in the traditional sense. The nearby campsites - Roeys Retreat and Atlantic Horizons are both strong options - make decent bases if you're planning a few days exploring North Devon. Use Volehouse as part of a broader walking loop rather than a destination in itself.