Hameldown Tor

The walk up Hameldown Tor rewards you with one of Dartmoor's cleanest views - a proper 360-degree sweep across moorland that actually justifies the scramble. You're looking at Bronze Age burial cairns dotted across the summit, which gives the whole experience a bit of historical weight alongside the raw landscape.

It's a straightforward hike from the nearest car park, though the final section gets rocky underfoot. Allow ninety minutes return if you're not rushing. The wind can be brutal up here even on calm days lower down, so come prepared. Families with decent walkers will manage fine; under-eights might find the loose stones fiddly on the descent.

The tor itself is free - it's Dartmoor after all - and there's no visitor centre or facilities, which is either brilliant or annoying depending on your mood. Early morning or late afternoon gives you the best light and the fewest other people. Weekdays are noticeably quieter.

If you're staying at one of the holiday parks near Dartmoor National Park - which is just a few miles away - this fits neatly into a day's exploring. Combine it with Hay Tor or Grey Wethers if you fancy a longer moorland circuit. The tor itself takes under two hours from start to finish, so it's ideal for filling a half-day around other plans. Worth doing if you're already in the area; worth timing your trip around? Probably not on its own.