Waterfall

The waterfall near Newton Abbot is one of those spots that catches you off guard. You're walking through woodland that's nothing spectacular to begin with, then suddenly the ground drops away and there it is - water thundering down over moss-covered rocks into a pool below. It's not Niagara Falls, but for Devon it's properly impressive, especially after rain when the flow picks up considerably.

The walk to reach it takes about twenty minutes from the nearest car park, following a path that gets steeper as you approach. Trainers will do if you're careful, but proper walking boots are smarter because it gets slippery. The pool at the base is deep enough to suggest a dip in summer, though the water's cold enough to make you regret it after about thirty seconds.

This works well for active families and walkers who want something more than a car park view. Kids will either think it's the best thing ever or complain about the walk - there's rarely a middle ground. Allow two hours total if you're stopping to eat a sandwich and take photos. Winter visits are quieter but muddier. Spring is when the flow's at its best without the summer crowds.

If you're based at Oakmoor Touring Park or Devon Heaven Hideaways nearby, this makes a solid half-day outing that breaks up a more leisurely holiday rhythm. It's the sort of place you do once and remember fondly, rather than somewhere you'll plan a weekend around.