Leigh Tor

The walk up Leigh Tor from South Brent takes about forty minutes if you're moving at a decent pace, and the granite tor itself sits stubby and impressive at 480 metres - not exactly Alpine, but you notice the height on your legs. The views sweep across Dartmoor proper: moorland rolling out in every direction, dotted with sheep and stone walls that seem to have been there since the Bronze Age. On a clear day you can pick out other tors puncturing the horizon like nature's chess pieces.

It's the kind of place that rewards walkers more than casual strollers. You won't find a café or gift shop at the top, just wind and space and the actual moor doing what the moor does. Families with energetic kids aged eight upwards will manage the climb easily enough; younger children might find it a bit relentless depending on their legs and temperament. The path is well-trodden and reasonably clear, though moorland navigation always demands a bit of attention.

The tor itself is worth scrambling over for the extra vantage point - the rocks are grippy enough and the drops aren't vertiginous, just exhilarating. There's no admission fee because there's nothing to admit to; it's just open moor. You can do this as a standalone walk or fold it into a broader Dartmoor exploration, especially if you're staying at one of the lodges dotted through the national park. Allow half a day including the drive from South Brent.