Haddon Hill

The walk up Haddon Hill rewards you with proper views across the Exe Valley and beyond - the kind of panorama that justifies a scramble through Somerset's countryside. It's not a mountain, mind. You're looking at around 1,000 feet of elevation, but what it lacks in Alpine drama it makes up for with genuine, uncluttered vistas that stretch all the way to Exmoor on a clear day.

The approach from Tiverton is straightforward enough - footpaths thread through farmland and woodland before the final push to the summit. It takes maybe two hours return if you're not hanging about, though families with younger legs will want longer. The hill itself is bare moorland at the top, which means there's nowhere to hide from the weather. Pick a day with decent visibility or you might find yourself staring into cloud.

History enthusiasts get a kick out of this one - there's Bronze Age activity up here, and you can spot earthworks if you know what to look for. Walkers appreciate it as a solid leg-stretcher that doesn't require kit or experience, just decent boots and reasonable fitness. Kids will find it manageable rather than thrilling, unless they're the type who like collecting hills.

If you're staying at Waterrow Touring Park - less than seven miles away - this makes a proper half-day outing. Free to visit, naturally. Go when the weather forecast suggests clear skies, ideally late morning when the light sits right across the valley floor.