Carkees Tor

The walk up Carkees Tor rewards you with proper moorland views that stretch across Bodmin Moor without the crowds you'll find at Brown Willy or Roughtor. It's a granite outcrop that doesn't look much from the car park - just a bump on the horizon - but the climb takes you through heather and rough grass where you might spot a buzzard or two circling above.

The summit itself is modest, rocky, nothing you'd write home about on its own. But the reason to come is the walk itself and the 360-degree perspective of the moor. On a clear day you can see for miles across open country. The path is straightforward enough - roughly an hour up and back for most people, though the moorland terrain is uneven underfoot so proper boots are worth the bother.

This works well as a half-day outing if you're staying at Camp De Lank or Rosebud Farm, both within easy reach of Bodmin. The tor suits walkers more than families with small kids - there's nothing to do once you reach the top except look and turn back. Older children who enjoy a proper tramp across open ground will be fine with it. Go early in the day if you can; the moor changes character completely in afternoon cloud, and you'll lose the views you came for.

Admission is free, obviously - it's moorland. Allow a couple of hours if you're not rushing, and pick a day when the weather's cooperating. The wind up there can be fierce.