Beardown Tors

The walk up Beardown Tors from Tavistock side is a proper slog, but the moorland views once you're up there make it worthwhile. You're looking at bog, bracken, and granite outcrops - typical Dartmoor fare, which means it's either spectacular or bleak depending on the weather. On a clear day, you can see for miles across the high ground. On a murky one, you'll struggle to see much beyond the next rocky lump.

It's best suited to walkers who actually enjoy a bit of effort. Kids might find the scramble up the loose rocks fun for twenty minutes, then lose interest when they realise there's no cafe at the top. There's nothing to do once you arrive except admire the view and take photos, so it's not a destination where you'd spend hours. Allow about two to three hours return from the car park depending on fitness.

The nearby Dartmoor National Park makes this a natural add-on if you're already in the area hiking. Langstone Manor Holiday Park, five miles away, could work as a base if you're doing a proper walking holiday. The tors themselves are free and accessible year-round, though winter mud can be grim and summer midges are no joke.

Go if you're serious about Dartmoor walking and already in Tavistock. Skip it if you're after an easy stroll with a reward at the end. The granite and the space are real enough, but you're not missing some once-in-a-lifetime experience.