Fire Beacon Hill

The walk up Fire Beacon Hill rewards you with one of those views that justifies every step. It's a proper ridge-top vantage point above Budleigh Salterton, where you can see across the Devon coast and inland across the red sandstone cliffs the area's famous for. On a clear day it's tremendous.

There's not much up here except the views themselves and the sense of having climbed somewhere with actual purpose. The path is well-trodden and straightforward enough for families with older kids, though younger ones might find the ascent a bit of a slog. Allow 45 minutes to an hour for the walk and time to breathe at the top.

This works brilliantly as part of a coastal ramble round Budleigh Salterton if you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Ladram Bay is practically on your doorstep, while Cuckoo Down Farm and Oakdown are both short drives away. The beacon itself marks a historic vantage point, though what remains today is the site rather than a grand structure.

Go on a calm day. Windy weather and this exposed ridge don't mix well, and the views disappear into murk when the cloud rolls in. It's free, naturally, and works best as part of a bigger day out rather than a standalone stop - combine it with a seaside walk or grab fish and chips in town afterwards.