Westlake's Plantation

The forest floor at Westlake's Plantation is carpeted with moss and fallen needles, which makes walking here feel almost soundless. Located just outside Okehampton in Devon, this woodland covers a decent stretch and offers proper woodland walking without the crowds you'd get at some of the moor-edge attractions nearby.

It's mixed conifers and broadleaf - not the prettiest plantation you'll see, but functional woodland with decent paths that don't turn to mud even after rain. You're looking at a couple of hours of walking if you want to do a decent loop, though you can knock it down to an hour if you're after something light. The stand of trees creates a genuine change of pace from the open moorland that surrounds Okehampton - if you've spent the morning on the moor, this offers shelter and a different rhythm.

Families with younger kids might find it a bit samey after the initial novelty, but walkers looking to add woodland miles to their Dartmoor itinerary will appreciate it. The proximity to Wolf Wood Treehouses (just 3.5 miles away) makes it an easy half-day pairing with accommodation there - you could walk Westlake's in the morning and be back for lunch without much fuss.

No facilities to speak of, so bring water and be prepared for the usual forest floor hazards - muddy patches, root systems. It's free access as far as I can tell, though that's worth confirming locally before you visit.