Glasscombe Ball

The walk up Glasscombe Ball rewards you with views across Dartmoor that stretch for miles in every direction. It's a proper moorland peak - nothing dramatic in height, but the kind of place where you genuinely feel on top of things. The ground underfoot is typical Dartmoor: tussocky grass, the occasional boggy patch, stone outcrops. On a clear day you can see right across the moor, and on a grey one it's equally atmospheric, with mist rolling through the valleys below.

From South Brent it's an accessible walk that most families with reasonable fitness will manage without too much fuss. Allow a couple of hours if you're not pushing yourself, maybe 90 minutes if you're keen. The summit itself is modest - some stones, moorland stretching away - but that's rather the point. This isn't about dramatic peaks; it's about space and air and feeling properly away from things.

Historically, Glasscombe sits within some of Dartmoor's most interesting terrain. Bronze Age settlements dot the landscape, and the whole area carries weight if you're into that sort of thing. Go early morning if you can; the moor transforms completely in soft light, and you'll likely have the place to yourself.

If you're staying at Ashbourne Woods nearby, this is an excellent half-day outing that doesn't require driving far. It fits well with the broader Dartmoor experience without being overly strenuous, and it keeps you outside for as long as you want rather than tied to opening hours.