Hart Tor

Getting to Hart Tor means a proper walk across Dartmoor's open moorland, and you'll know you're close when the granite outcrops start jutting out like broken teeth against the sky. It's not a dramatic peak - more a rocky outcrop with real presence once you're up there - but the views across Dartmoor are genuinely excellent, especially on clearer days when you can pick out the ridge lines rolling away toward the horizon.

This is walker territory first and foremost. The hike takes the best part of an afternoon depending on your pace and where you're starting from, so come prepared with proper boots and water. The moorland around here shifts mood quickly; what looks benign in morning sun can turn moody and windswept by afternoon. Kids will manage fine if they're used to distance walking, though the lack of a defined path on sections of the approach keeps things from feeling too easy.

Exit's your nearest town if you're based there, though honestly Dartmoor feels like its own world. If you're staying at Woodland Springs Touring Park south of Exeter, Hart Tor works as a day excursion - about 45 minutes' drive to the trailhead. There's no charge for the walk itself, just your own legs and navigation skill. Go when the weather's stable; Dartmoor has a habit of closing in fast, and visibility can drop from miles to metres in minutes. April through September gives you the best odds of decent conditions.