Giant's Grace (Cairns)

The stones at Giant's Grace stand on the Devon moors like something from another age - weathered granite cairns that have watched over this landscape for thousands of years. It's a Bronze Age burial site, the sort of place where you can actually feel the weight of time pressing down on you.

Walking out to the cairns takes effort. It's moorland, so exposed and windswept, with the grass rough underfoot and views that stretch for miles across Devon. You won't find manicured paths or information boards here - that's rather the point. The stones themselves are modest by standing stone standards, but there's something compelling about their isolation and the sheer persistence of them.

Historically minded visitors will get the most from a visit. Families with young children might find the walk a bit of a slog for what's essentially a collection of rocks, unless they're genuinely keen on Bronze Age archaeology. Allow a couple of hours if you're making a proper morning of it - an hour's walk out, time to sit amongst the stones and take it in, then back again.

From Exeter, you're well-positioned to pair this with the nearby touring parks. Barley Meadow and Sunsets & Marshmallows are both within easy reach and highly rated. Giant's Grace works best as part of a broader moorland exploration rather than a destination in itself - combine it with walks across the wider landscape and you'll get far more from the trip. Go early if possible to avoid crowds, though honestly you're unlikely to find many people out here anyway.