Becky Falls Woodland Park

Becky Falls Woodland Park is a 50-acre visitor attraction in a wooded valley near Manaton, built around a natural waterfall on Becka Brook. The main fall drops about 70 feet through granite boulders, but the real appeal is the combination of water, ancient oak woodland, rough paths and a small animal park. Give it at least half a day if you want the waterfall walk, another trail, the animals and a café stop. It works especially well for families, but this isn't a smooth, pushchair-friendly stroll: the natural routes are steep, rooty and bouldery.

The Blue Trail is the gentlest circular walk and takes about 30 minutes at an easy pace. It winds through ancient oak woodland, with a Children's Nature Trail and seasonal wildflowers. There are still steep steps, exposed roots and boulders, so gentle means gentlest here.

The Red Trail is the essential walk. It descends to the base of the main waterfall, follows the river, crosses a bridge and climbs back up the other side. Allow about 45 minutes without the shortcut. The boulder-strewn valley supplies much of the fun, but the boulders also become steps, and the path can be slippery after rain. The Purple Trail joins the Red route and adds about 30 minutes. It reaches views of the lower falls and includes a 200-foot climb back towards road level, making it the most demanding option.

Becky Falls is a Site of Special Scientific Interest, protecting the woodland, waterways, geology and rare flora and fauna. The valley was shaped in the last Ice Age, and moss-covered granite, smaller cascades and the dark stream make the walk feel much wilder than the family attractions at the entrance. Keep an eye out for deer, herons and birds, but treat them as a bonus rather than a promise. The attraction has welcomed visitors since 1903. The falls were once called Becka Falls, the older name surviving on Ordnance Survey maps into the 1940s.

For the best waterfall photograph, follow the Red Trail to the main cascade, then look for a composition that keeps the water, boulders and wooded banks together. The flow is usually more impressive after rain. The lower falls on the Purple Trail give you a different view and a quieter reason to keep walking.

The approach into the park is steep, and none of the nature trails is suitable for wheelchairs or pushchairs. The café, gift shop, Animal Discovery Zone and adjacent disabled toilets are accessible, so a mixed-ability group can still use the entrance facilities even if not everyone can do the walks. Wear sturdy footwear. Dogs are welcome on leads throughout the park except inside the Animal Discovery Zone.

There is free parking, including larger spaces for camper vans and buses. The café serves cream teas and cakes, burgers and freshly prepared paninis, with gluten-free and vegan options available. There is no daily bus service to the attraction; from Bovey Tracey, you'll need a taxi.