Dumpdon Hill

The walk up Dumpdon Hill takes the better part of an hour from Honiton, but the effort pays off with views across the Blackdown Hills and toward the coast on a clear day. It's a proper summit for the area - nothing dramatic, but solid working countryside all around you, which is what makes it worth doing. The hill itself is wooded in parts and open in others, so you get a mix of shade and exposure as you climb. There's a triangulation pillar at the top, the sort of thing walkers get oddly excited about, and fair enough - it marks something real.

Historically minded types will find the Iron Age hill fort remains interesting enough, though they're subtle. You're not walking into obvious ramparts; it's more about understanding what shaped the landscape. Families with older kids or decent walkers will manage it fine. Younger ones might find the final push a bit much, and there's no dramatic payoff at the summit - no café, no views of dramatic peaks. It's functional rather than spectacular.

Worth combining with a stay at Hartridge Springs Spa Glamping if you're after a proper walking break in Devon. The hill makes a solid afternoon outing before heading back to your accommodation. Go on a day when the weather's decent - low cloud renders the views pointless - and allow two to three hours for the round trip with stops. Free to walk, obviously. It's the sort of place that grows on you once you're up there, even if it doesn't shout about itself.