Barn Hill

The walk up Barn Hill from Tavistock takes about forty minutes if you're not mucking about, and the effort pays off properly. You get views across Dartmoor that stretch for miles - moorland rolling away in every direction, and on a clear day you can actually see where you're walking next. It's a proper peak rather than a gentle stroll, with a decent climb at the end that'll get your legs working.

This is the sort of place walkers and families with older kids come for the leg-stretch and the views, not for facilities or tourist nonsense. There's nothing at the top except the horizon and whatever weather's rolling in from the west. That's rather the point. Bring a packed lunch if you want to sit and stare for a bit.

The whole trip including the walk back makes for a solid two hours. Go in the morning if you can - afternoon light here can be flat and greying. Winter's actually decent because you dodge the school holidays and get better visibility when the clouds do shift.

If you're camped at Langstone Manor Holiday Park just down the road, Barn Hill works brilliantly as a half-day adventure without needing to load the car. The park's close enough that you could do this on foot if you're keen, or it's ten minutes' drive. Worth doing if you're a walker; less interesting if you're after something easy or need to amuse small children for hours.