West Norton Wood

The woodland around West Norton, just inland from Totnes, is proper Devon - dense enough to feel like you've left civilisation behind, but close enough that you're never more than a short drive from town. It's the kind of forest where you actually hear birdsong instead of traffic.

What you're getting here is straightforward walking. There are no visitor centres or tea shops, no facilities to speak of. It's just trees, paths, and the occasional bit of exposed red soil that reminds you this is proper West Country geology. The woodland itself is mixed - oak, beech, the lot - and depending on the season you'll find bluebells in spring or decent autumn colour if you time it right.

This works best for walkers who want something gentle and low-key rather than a destination in itself. Families with young kids will find it pleasant for an hour or so, though there's not much to keep them engaged beyond "look, a squirrel". History buffs won't find anything obvious to latch onto here - it's just woodland, probably managed for timber at some point, possibly older than that.

If you're based at Start Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite, six miles away, West Norton Wood makes a solid morning walk before heading into Totnes proper for lunch and poking around the town. Go early in the day if you can - the light's better through the trees, and you'll avoid anyone else who had the same idea. Free to access, no time limit, though realistically two hours covers it.