Cranbrook Down

The walk up Cranbrook Down rewards you with views that stretch across Devon's rolling countryside - proper countryside, the kind that makes you understand why people move here and never leave. It's not a dramatic peak, but that's rather the point. There's a gentleness to it that works well for families who don't fancy scrambling up limestone crags.

You're looking at a straightforward walk from the Exeter side, probably 45 minutes to an hour depending on fitness and how often you stop to take photos. The summit itself is open moorland with good sight lines across the Exe Valley. On a clear day you can see for miles. On a misty one, which is common enough in Devon, the views compress into something more intimate - the landscape appearing in layers as the mist lifts.

Walkers will get the most from this. It's the kind of walk you do as part of a broader ramble rather than a standalone trip. Kids under eight might find it a bit of a slog without substantial snack incentives, but older children who've got their walking legs on will manage fine. There's nothing technical about it, just steady incline.

If you're based at Barley Meadow Touring Park or Woodland Springs, both within a few miles, Cranbrook Down makes a decent half-day outing. It fits naturally into a broader Devon walking itinerary - not the most dramatic peak, but reliable and well-positioned for exploring the area around Exeter. Free to access, naturally. Wear proper boots; it can get muddy.