08 HALDON FOREST

It may be just a stone’s throw from the M5, but this woodland mountain bike sanctuary succeeds in making you feel like you’ve been transported to deepest, darkest Devon. There are several waymarked trails, as well as some o -piste singletrack if you know where to look. The red-graded Ridge Ride begins with a flat and then downhill start, at odds with many UK trail centres. It’s great fun but make sure you’re warmed up first – you can do this in the skills area by the car park.