Great Combe Tor

The walk up Great Combe Tor takes you through proper Dartmoor terrain - moorland grass, rocky outcrops, the works. It's not a massive peak by any stretch, but once you're up there the views across Devon open out in all directions, and on a clear day you can see for miles. The tor itself is a granite outcrop that rewards the climb without being brutal about it.

This is a walker's thing, pure and simple. If you're staying at Langstone Manor or Lydford Caravan Park nearby, it's worth fitting in as a half-day outing. Allow a couple of hours round trip depending on your pace and how long you want to linger at the top. The best light hits it late afternoon, so head up around three o'clock if you can swing it.

Tavistock sits just a few miles south and makes a good base for exploring this corner of Dartmoor. The approach is straightforward - park sensibly and follow the moorland paths. It's free, obviously, and there are no facilities up there so bring water and snacks. Families with older kids will manage fine, though younger children might find the walk a bit dull on the way up. Come on a dry day; this moorland gets boggy fast after rain and the granite can be slippery when wet. On a proper summer's day though, it's excellent - you'll have the top largely to yourself and the sense of space out there is genuinely impressive.