Cocks Hill

The walk up Cocks Hill rewards you with views across Dartmoor that stretch for miles - moorland rolling in every direction, proper wild stuff. It's a modest peak by any standard, but that's rather the point. You get the sense of achievement without needing mountaineering boots or three hours of scrambling.

The route from Tavistock is straightforward enough, threading through moorland paths that locals clearly know well. The summit itself is unremarkable - just a high point where the horizon opens up - but on a clear day you can pick out the granite tors dotting the distance. If you're staying at one of the nearby parks like Langstone Manor, it makes a cracking morning outing before breakfast gets cold.

Walkers will get the most from this one. It's not a tourist trap with a café or information board, just genuine moorland walking. Families with older kids who can manage a couple of hours on their feet would do fine; younger children might find it a bit dull if the weather turns. Allow roughly two hours there and back depending on your pace.

The real value is how it fits into a Dartmoor break. Pair it with Lydford Caravan & Camping Park as your base, and you've got easy access to proper walking country without the crowds you'd find at the more famous peaks. Go midweek if you can. Weekends bring more visitors, and the moorland feels less yours.