Watergate

Down a narrow Devon lane near Bideford, Watergate sits tucked beside a river with enough space to spread a blanket and actually use it. It's a proper picnic spot - the kind where you can hear the water properly, not some overcrowded car park masquerading as countryside.

There's a small car park and access down to the riverbank where the water moves fast enough to be interesting but calm enough that you're not spending the whole time worried about supervision. Families with younger kids do well here because there's room to let them loose without them vanishing into the undergrowth, and the riverbank is forgiving ground.

The walk itself is nothing arduous - you're not hauling kit for miles - which makes it realistic for anyone who fancies a proper break without the bother. The actual picnicking space has the kind of casual feel that works: not manicured, not pretentious, just functional enough to enjoy lunch without sitting in mud.

It works best as a stop-off during a broader Bideford area trip rather than a destination in itself. If you're staying at Owl Valley Glamping or Broad Park nearby, this is exactly the sort of spot worth knowing about for a midweek lunch away from your accommodation. Morning visits beat afternoons because you'll have the place more to yourself.

Worth a go if you're in the area and need somewhere to actually sit down and eat without the crowds. Not worth a special journey.