Heckwood Tor

The scramble up Heckwood Tor rewards you with one of the sharpest views across Dartmoor. It's not a long walk - maybe twenty minutes from the carpark near Tavistock - but the final push involves proper hands-on climbing over granite blocks. Kids who like a bit of adventure will eat it up; those expecting a gentle stroll should look elsewhere.

Once you're up top, the moorland falls away in every direction. On a clear day you can see for miles across heather and gorse. The tor itself is just a jumble of weather-beaten rocks, but that's rather the point - it feels genuine, not manicured. The wind tends to whip through here, so even on warm days you'll want a layer.

Allow an hour return if you're not pushing hard. There's nothing to eat or drink up there, so grab a sandwich in Tavistock first. The walk's decent any time of year, though winter mud can make the descent a bit sketchy. Sunny mornings are when most people come, which means you might not have it to yourself, but the moor's large enough that it never feels rammed.

If you're staying at Langstone Manor Holiday Park just down the road, this makes an ideal half-morning outing before lunch. Walkers will appreciate how it ties into the broader Dartmoor network - you could string together a longer day if you fancy it. Not spectacular by Alpine standards, but genuine and uncomplicated.