Wilmot's Pool

The walk down to Wilmot's Pool from Holford is what makes this place. It's a proper woodland descent through the Quantock Hills - all dappled shade and the sound of water getting louder as you drop lower. The pool itself sits in a tree-ringed hollow, fed by a stream that tumbles down the hillside, and on a warm day it's genuinely tempting to wade in.

It's the kind of spot that appeals to families wanting something beyond a flat park stroll, and walkers tackling the Quantocks will naturally stumble across it. The water is clear enough to see the bottom in places, and there's a grassy bank where you can sit and listen to the stream. Don't expect crowds or facilities - this is basic and unspoilt, which is entirely the point.

Allow an hour for the walk down, a decent sit about, and the climb back up. Spring and early summer are nicest, when the woodland is green and the stream's running properly. Winter can be muddy and slippery underfoot.

If you're based at Moorhouse Campsite just 2.6 miles away, this makes a genuine half-day outing without needing to drive far. Combine it with a walk along the broader Quantock trails and you've got a proper day out. Haven Doniford Bay is close enough too if you want an afternoon excursion. The pool won't take your breath away, but it's worth the effort.