Dunkery Beacon

The walk up Dunkery Beacon takes you to the highest point on Exmoor at 1,704 feet, and on a clear day the views stretch all the way to Wales. You'll get walkers, proper outdoorsy types, and families after a decent afternoon hike - it's not a casual stroll, mind you. The path from Webbers Post car park is steep in places and takes about 90 minutes to the top, but the trig point and wide moorland vistas make it worth the leg work.

What draws people here is the visibility. You're standing above the Somerset coast with water on three sides, and the beacon itself - rebuilt in 1952 - marks the summit cleanly. On a grey day you'll see maybe a mile out. Come in spring or autumn when the light's sharper and the crowds thinner.

It's free to visit, of course, since it's open moorland. Allow three hours return if you're not a regular walker; fit types will do it in two. The terrain is exposed, so wind can catch you hard up here - bring layers even if it looks calm at sea level.

If you're based at Minehead Caravan and Motorhome Club Campsite or Butlins Minehead, this works perfectly as a morning or afternoon outing. It pairs well with exploring the coastal paths around Minehead itself. The only real downside is how boggy it gets after rain, so check conditions before you go.