Top 10 Woodland Activities

Visiting a woodland or forest in South Devon is something to be enjoyed at all times of the year and by all ages. Whether it’s a romantic stroll in the winter months, a leisurely bike ride with the family in the summer or bird watching during autumn, whatever time of the year and whomever you’re with, the ever changing colours, wildlife and plants in the woods make it an enjoyable location throughout the seasons. 

There are so many beautiful woods and forests to be explored in South Devon, and plenty of great activities to do whilst there, especially for families; it’s a great way to get the little ones (and older kids) to spend more time with nature. With that being said, we have put together our top ten things to do when visiting the woods. 

Build a Den

Finding broken logs, twigs and leaves is the perfect way to keep children active and engaged, why not collect as much as you can and use the materials to build a den for your little ones to play in. If you’re struggling to find things big enough to make a den for yourselves, you could always make a miniature pixie den! Just remember to only collect materials that are on the ground and have already fallen, and only use natural building materials, that way when you leave, you needn’t worry about tidying or taking anything with you! 

Cycling

Whether you want a relaxing bicycle ride through the bluebells in the spring or a bracing mountain bike jaunt in the autumn, taking to two wheels to see the forest is a fantastic way to exercise and cover ground in larger woodland faster. Plymbridge Woods and Haldon Forest are a great place to go cycling, with a family cycle trail to steer you through the towering trees, and plenty of rough, off road terrains for mountain biking. 

Nature Rubbings

Pack up your kiddies backpacks with paper and crayons and head to a wooded area to do some rubbings. Simply place some paper over some bark or a leaf and use the side of a crayon to colour over the top, textured trees or leaves work best. You can do this anywhere but Bellever Forest in Yelverton is a great spot as they have plenty of rocks and trees to discover.  

Poohsticks

No matter your age, poohsticks will never get old. For children and adults alike the aim of the game is to see whose stick races down a river fastest after dropping them into the water from a bridge. You must each choose a stick and in unison drop them from the upstream side of a bridge, get to the other side of the bridge and the first stick to emerge from underneath is the winner! Whilst exploring woodland, keep an eye out for a stream or river with a bridge and you can play this game to your heart’s content. 

Wildlife Spotting

Throughout the year our forests and woodlands in South Devon are graced with lots of species of bird, insects and flora. Take a visit to a nearby woods to discover what beautiful creatures and wildlife call this place home. Stover Country Park is an excellent place for doing just this, resting on the outskirts of Newton Abbot, Stover combines woodland with marshland. The large lake that sits within the park makes it an ideal place to investigate the habitat. Don’t forget to take your camera too as it’s an excellent location for wildlife photography! 

Walking & Forest Bathing

Strolling through the woods is relaxing and energising, getting back to nature is a peaceful way to spend an afternoon for all of us. Make your woodland experience even more relaxing by forest bathing. Originally from Japan in the 1980’s, known as Shinrin Yoku, it translates in English to ‘Forest Bath’, and relates to total immersion of the mind into a quiet woodland setting inviting the gifts of nature to wash over us. Lydford Gorge, run by the National Trust, is the deepest river gorge in the South West, complete with beautiful walks along the river path and a mesmerising cascading waterfall. Dittiscombe Estate near Slapton Sands Beach offer forest bathing sessions at in their beautiful grounds if you think you’d like to try it with the help of someone experienced.  

Activity Trail

One way to keep the kiddies entertained whilst being outside in the fresh air is to take them along to a forest where there are activity trails for them to do. Haldon Forest Park is near Exeter and has a wide variety of trails to discover; with walking trails, bike trails and even segway tours, there’s plenty for the whole family to get involved in!  

Create a Picture

Most children love to get hands-on and arty so why not let them collect things off the ground of the woods and use them to make a picture or sculpture. Either by laying leaves, twigs and pinecones on the floor, or by taking a few home and gluing them on paper, scavenging for items is a great way to keep kids active and entertained.  

Climb Trees

Whatever woods you end up, you’re destined to find a bountiful supply of trees to scale. Just make sure the tree you decide to climb is strong enough to hold your weight and little ones should always be spotted and supervised. If you fancy something a bit safer but more exhilarating, why not fly through the trees from the comfort of the ground on a Segway? Cann Woods Segway offer excellent experiences in Cann Woods near Plymouth. We can vouch for them and say it’s a truly brilliant activity, read all about our experience here. 

Have a Picnic

It may seem like an obvious one but often we’re all guilty of heading to the beach or a local park for our picnic during the summer, but why not take to the forest and combine it with any of the above for an exciting day out. Bellever Forest on Dartmoor is a stunning place to do just that, with tall trees, facilities and a picturesque open area great for settling down a blanket. There is also a tranquil stream and tor to climb if you’re feeling more energetic! 

So, whatever your taste and whatever your age, visiting woodlands or forests in South Devon make for a fantastic day out throughout the year. Don’t forget to share your pictures of your great times with us on Instagram by using the hashtag #visitsouthdevon or by tagging us, @visitsouthdevon.

Other Posts You Might Like