Our Easter weekend was fairly relaxed, with a few visitors, lots of coffee, Easter treats, beach time and a family walk in Haldon Forest. As a child, I went on (endured) lots of long family walks. I enjoyed exploring wonderful woodlands, clambering and climbing on the huge rocks of Dartmoor, splashing about in the sea and building castles on the beach, or falling in the huge hole we’d just dug like I once did! I loved the outdoors and still do, luckily Daddy Pig shares my same enthusiasm of exploration so we both want Phoebe to enjoy this side of life by getting her out and being in the fresh open air.
On Saturday, I knew there would be some semi okay weather in the morning so suggested a walk in Haldon Forest, as neither daddy pig or Phoebe have been there before and being only a 20 minute drive away from Exeter, it was ideal.
It’s perfect as it has something for everyone. You can choose a slow gentle walk all the way up a long much harder walk, get muddy mountain biking on one of the many different routes and spend the whole day strolling and exploring, stopping at gorgeous picnic sites scattered across the 3,500 acres of woodland.
We choose the discovery trail (see details below) which ended up looping onto the stick man trial, we of course did it in reverse, but who cares there is no wrong or right way when your surrounded by nature!
Grade of Trail: Easy
Trail Way marking: 
Length of trail: 1.5 miles
Trail description:
The Discovery Trail is suitable for all ages.
This is a great all-ability trail for walkers and beginner cyclists. It would also make for a great trail for those who enjoy jogging.There are fun features along the route for children, regular resting points and some stunning views to be enjoyed. This level, well surfaced trail uses the ‘Access for All’ standard suitable for wheelchairs and prams, and there are regular resting points.
Phoebe throughly enjoyed exploring the forest, playing with all random activities dotted around the woods and having the freedom of being outside. The hand holding however was an issue and we had a few moments where the minx broke free.
Of course we let her explore but at times is got busy and some areas were a little unsafe for an almost 2 year old. We left the stroller in the car as the wilful toddler loves walking and it would have only caused a huge tantrum among the twigs and leaves, so when her little legs couldn’t go on anymore Daddy Pig gave her a shoulder ride with a view!
Overall it was a fabulous family walk that completely wiped Phoebe out, luckily she didn’t sleep in the car (loud music & crazy singing) and after lunch she had an epic nap. We can’t wait to go back and see what more Haldon forest has to offer. Next time we will defiantly be taking our big toddler back pack/carrier thing, a loaded picnic and more change for the car park.
Stick Man Trails Information
Haldon Forest Website
Where do you enjoy taking the kids for a run around and some good old fresh air? let me know what your favourite outdoor actives are and any tips from seasoned parents.
Linked up with the following blogs:
Not Just Phoebe 
It looks like a great place to go out for a walk with children. Love your photos and I agree with you on your favourite one of the day.
I love that singing chair idea!!
#PointShoot
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Thanks for having a read, it really was a fantastic place and something for everyone 🙂 I was quite happy when I was looking back through the days photo and saw that gem, I just had to share 😋 also the singing chair was beautiful, my photos don’t do it justice. X
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Totally taking monkey there one weekend looks great G! Xx
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Thanks for reading and commenting! It was really good, and there is so much to do there, you could keep going back. Glad you enjoyed it x
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how cute is the photo of her escaping! Lovely post #thelist
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Yeah it was one of many attempts! Haha X
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The stick man trail at Haldon is on my list for next weeks activities. Last time we went there we did the yellow/purple trail not realising how long it was, Josh needed a little help towards the end. x
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If you go into the main centre, you can pick up a fab stick man active pack, my lg is still too young for that part but the walk itself was full of stuff for her! I think we kind of did a few trails in the end! Enjoy and let me know how it goes. X
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We absolutely love forest walks and this looks like a fabulous place to visit. I loved the musical instrument and that chair is just fantastic what a great place to rest. Your favourite photo is mine too, what a super shot definitely one for a frame!!! TY for linking up with #FamilyFun 🌸
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The activities along the way really made it special and something to search for! When we found the chair, it was so magical and we all had a go! I am getting that photo printed for sure and a nice frame 🙂 thanks for hosting X
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What a great day out! It’s great to get some fresh air with the little ones! We take ours out walking in the hills in a backpack at the moment as he is only 9 months but I imagine when we have a toddler on our hands an walk in the woods with activities to do would be beneficial! #FamilyFun
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It’s so important to get out and agai it. Sounds lovely, that age is great for exploring, but when they are walking it’s a whole different ball game! Fun but hard work, so woodland walks are fun for everyone 🙂 good luck x
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Great place to explore with kiddies:) My boys are both big fans of the Stick Man too #The List
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The stick man stuff was still a little old for her, but in a few years she’ll love it! Thanks for commenting x
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This looks like a brilliant family walk. I love forest walks as there is so much for the boys to explore #picknmix xx
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Thanks for commenting, it really was a fab family walk, not too long and with plenty to keep an active toddler entertained. For bigger kids, there is even more to do, your boys would love it, out in the open air 🙂
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This looks like such a wonderful place for children to explore. I LOVE taking my little man on hikes. He’s not walking quite yet, so I haven’t had to worry about tantruming and running off, but I know it’s right around the corner-haha! Taking kids outdoors is one of the best things we can do for them ❤ #TheList
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Thanks for commenting. It’s such a gorgeous place and lots to do for all ages, plus just being outdoors it just the nicest thing for family time. The tantrums were worth it, and good luck when they come 🙂
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Looks like a lovely day out.
Thanks for linking up with Point + Shoot x
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My pleasure thanks for hosting 🙂 X
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We love a forest walk. There’s one near us in Hainult with all sorts of creepy carvings – and a nice pub at the end. There should always be a pub at the end of a country walk. #bigpinklink
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Sounds great, the weird and wonderful place make the best random days out! And of course a pub is key, but sadly not on this walk 😦
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WOW! This looks like such a lovely family day out. I loved reading and the pictures are amazing. I love taking the little ones for walks but since we moved to Porto we tend to go for walks on the beach. I agree with you on the favourite photo but I also really like the one she is making music in the forest. x
#bigpinklink
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Thanks for commenting, it was a great day. I’m glad you enjoyed my photos, my fav is defiantly going in a frame! Beach walks are the best, I miss hot beach walks, barefoot…
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Lovely post, really enjoyed reading it and finding out about new places. Haldon looks perfect for exploring with the whole family. Finn is just on the cusp of walking and I imagine we’re going to spend most of the summer trying to keep him in sight!
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Thanks helpful hiker, it’s a really interesting place with so much to do, we can’t wait to go back and explore some more! He’ll be absolutely everywhere but a good time to be walking, my daughter walked in spring last year and it was easier than winter slips, and rain! X
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Looks like you have a wonderful time in the wood. & Wow! I would love to walk through that engulfed tunnel of tree. Superb! 🙂 x #PointShoot
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The whole place was so gorgeous and felt like something out of a movie set at time! Can’t wait to go back again 🙂 thanks for commenting X
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This looks like such a lovely day out – your photos are lovely! I love the escape attempt photo – my little boy is generally the opposite, I have to coax him to get away from me and explore! #bigpinklink
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Thanks so much, glad you like the photos! It was challenging at times, but totally worth it 🙂 I wish my daughter would find a nice middle ground, but not yet!
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Popping back from #justanotherlinky. Thanks for linking up xx
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Thanks for hosting 🙂
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It looks like a great place for a roam around. I am always looking for new places to take my brood and this looks perfect
#KCACOLS
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Thanks for commenting, it really is a great day for all ages and something for everyone.
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We’re another outdoors family so really enjoyed reading about your day out. The forest itself looks lovely and as you say the well-maintained trails really help both young walkers and beginner cyclists. And I’m glad someone other than us also has that refusal to hold hands issue haha. Thanks for sharing.
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Thanks for commenting! It’s so great getting out as a family, enjoying the beauty that’s on our doorstop! there were so many different people out on the walk from baby wearers with a newborn right up to an elderly couple 😉 so it really proves anyone can get involved! The hand holding is such an issue, I’m off to buy a new backpack reins today in the hope it might help!
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This looks fab! I love getting the kids outdoors too. The forestry commission works so hard to make it a great place for kids and get as many people out as possible, they do a great job. Thanks for linking up with us! #bigpinklink
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It’s such a great place for kids and I really appreciate all the hard work that goes into keeping these places working and that’s why we go to keep it going 🙂 thanks for hosting x
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What a wonderful day out, we live in Plymouth so must make the effort to take a day trip down to Haldon Forest soon, I’d forgotten how lovely it is until I saw your photos! Loving Phoebes puddlesuit, she looks simply adorable and a proper little explorer 🙂 #whatevertheweather x
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It’s so close to us in Exeter, we really should go more, as we all really enjoyed ourselves! I think I last went as a child, so was nice going back. Make sure you have plenty of change for the car park. The puddle suit is from Trago mills, which is only 10 mins from there as well, bargain £15 regatta one! Thanks for commenting X
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This looks like a lovely place to visit, we love getting outside with the kids. We visit not too far from there when staying with James Mum so might make a trip to it. Thanks for linking to #PickNMix
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If your in the area then it’s a must, it’s really easy to get to off the motorway and definitely worth it 🙂 make sure you have change for the car park and shoes for the muddy puddles! Thanks for commenting X
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This looks like such a fabulous place for a day out. Wonderful pictures. Thanks for linking to PointShoot and the list x
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It’s a gorgeous place for all the family, I had so many photos to choose from! Thanks for hosting, I’ll try and get involved later, is there still time? X
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Haldon Forest looks like a fun and exciting place to explore, my girls would absolutely love it there. And judging from your gorgeous pictures you all had a great day from what I can see. Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope you come back again next Sunday.xx
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Thanks for commenting. It really is such a great place for kids, of all ages, I had so many photos it was hard to choose. Thanks for hosting and hopefully I’ll be back this Sunday X
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This looks lovely. I’m keen to get a baby carrier wp we can enjoy lots of long walks too. #whatevertheweather
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It would be a really nice angle from the carrier and depends how old baby is but facing them out is so lovely, they can take it all in! X
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Love a foresty walk. We are lucky to have Salcey forest nearby & during the winter months did the Stickman trail. #kcacols lifeinthemumslane
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Living in England does have some great advantages! Gotta love the stickman X thanks for commenting
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What a lovely day out with your family. Haldon Forest sounds and looks like a great place to explore around!! I love going to the forest. We have done this too a few times and it is always a great day. Lovely photos too! Thanks so much for sharing this at #KCACOLS. I’m so happy that you came back for this week!! I hope to see you again on Sunday! 🙂 x
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It was such a lovely day and so much exploring to be done 🙂 there is something so magical about being in a forest/woodland, we love it. I had so many photo so choose from, so Im glad you like them 🙂 thanks for hosting x
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What a lovely place. I really need to look into more forest walks near to me, the boys love a good walk in the woods, and anything for a peaceful bedtime! The photo’s are really fab, and I agree with your favourite, I love pictures like that. Thank you so much for linking up to #KCACOLS Hope you come back again next Sunday xx
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It’s a gorgeous place that I had almost forgotten about. There are so many places like this, I’m sure there are so great places near you, and I’m with you on the peaceful bedtime…she was a goner 🙂 I was so pleased when I got the favourite shot, the light was perfect. X
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What a brilliant trail!!!! I’m popping up this way soon. I’m definitely going to try this out. It makes it so much more interesting when there are little stopping points. I love the singing chair!! Your pictures are adorable. Thank you so much for sharing with #whatevertheweather xx
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Oh you should give it a go when you’re up this way! It was so much fun, and yes the chair was a giggle, Phoebe loved it. Hope you have a good time, check what events are on as sometimes they have extra family days! X
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Looks like a fab walk together! I love all the activities that you can do along the way. We have a few musical trails nearby, which are great fun for exploring along. My littlest refuses to hold hands in these situations too, but normally ok at sticking to the path fortunately. Lovely the photo on her dads shoulders, so cute seeing kids riding up high! Thanks so much for sharing on #Whatevertheweather 🙂 xx
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It was such a lovely walk despite the lack of hand holding but the paths were wide and easy to stick too.. Nice to hear it’s not just my bossy child that won’t hold hands nicely! Phoebe loves a shoulder ride and she will normally use his head as a drum 🙂 thanks for hosting a great link up X
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Gorgeous photographs. I especially love your photograph of the day. We love visiting places like this. There is so much to see and do. And lots of fun places for the little one to play. It looks like you had a wonderful few hours exploring and I am sure it will be lovely in the summer with a picnic. Thanks so much for linking up with #SundayStars. Hugs Lucy xxxx
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Thanks, it was a lovely day and the photo really shows off the beauty of the forest. We can’t wait to go back and explore more with a big back of food and blankets and then we can go on more adventures 😉 thanks for hosting, I found it late last week and I’ll be back tomorrow hopefully 🙂
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Oh I just love the look of this place, and I’m so envious that you’ve been on one of these trails. I’ve finally found a stickman trail near isn to us which I think we will visit over the summer months some time. Your walk looked fabulous though, I just love woodland walks, and it looks like your little one had a brilliant time! Fab post. Thanks for linking up with #SundayStars Steph xxx
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There are lots of them around, I think it used to be the gruffalo but now stick man, which is great as feebs loves sticks…the simply things right! You should do one, easy trails and so much to explore 🙂 thanks for hosting and I’ll try and make it back later X
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