East Mill Tor

The walk up East Mill Tor rewards you with proper views across Dartmoor once you've earned them. It's not a massive peak - nothing like Ben Nevis - but it's steep enough that you'll feel it in your legs, especially if you've come straight from the caravan site near Exeter.

What you're really after here is the panorama. On a clear day, and this matters, you can see right across the moor. The tor itself is moorland rather than dramatic rocky pinnacle - more grass and grit than granite scramble - but that's partly what makes it doable for families with decent walkers in tow. The ascent takes the better part of an hour from the car park, depending on your fitness and how often you stop to catch your breath.

This works best for walkers who actually like walking rather than just snapping photos at the summit. History enthusiasts won't find much interpretive signage, but the moor itself tells stories if you're into that sort of thing. Kids aged eight upwards will manage it fine; younger ones might struggle with the gradient.

The nearest real town is Exeter, which sits about six miles away, making this a solid half-day outing during a caravan park holiday. Lydford Caravan & Camping Park is exceptionally well-rated and puts you close enough to tackle the walk without a dawn start. Come morning or late afternoon when the light's better and fewer people are wandering about. Allow two to three hours total, including sitting at the top with a flask.