Widdicombe Ley

Water sits dead still here most mornings, mirror-flat and reflecting whatever sky Devon's throwing at you. Widdicombe Ley is a proper freshwater lake just outside Kingsbridge, the sort of place locals know and visitors stumble upon by accident - which is exactly how it should be.

It's small enough to walk around in under an hour, but big enough that you'll want to linger. The main appeal is straightforward: peace and decent birdwatching if you're into that, or just a bench and a quiet moment if you're not. No facilities that I could find, no cafe, no gift shop. Bring a flask.

Families with young kids might find it a bit understated - there's not much to actually do except look and walk - but older children and teenagers who aren't glued to screens will appreciate the calm. It's the kind of spot that works brilliantly in shoulder seasons when the weather's decent but everything else is rammed.

If you're based at Start Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite just down the road, or at Wilton Farm Camping a couple of miles away, this makes a solid half-morning outing before heading into Kingsbridge proper for lunch. The walk from either site is straightforward and flat enough.

Go early if you can. By midday it can get a bit busier with dog walkers, which is fine, but the magic is in the quietness.