Lime Kilns

Crumbling stone structures dot the landscape near Tavistock where lime kilns once fired away - industrial remnants that tell you more about Cornwall's gritty past than any heritage centre ever could. These aren't particularly pretty to look at, but there's something compelling about standing in front of actual working history. The kilns themselves are hollow brick structures, some still standing tall enough to give you a real sense of scale. You walk around them, peer inside, work out how the whole operation functioned. Takes about twenty minutes to properly nose around unless you're the type to photograph every angle.

History buffs will find this genuinely interesting - limestone was processed here and used for everything from fertiliser to building mortar. It's not flashy heritage, just honest industrial archaeology. Kids under ten will probably get bored fairly quickly; older ones doing school projects might actually engage with it. The site's free to access, which is just as well because you won't spend a fortune.

Timing-wise, you're looking at half an hour maximum. Go on a clear day - photographs are better and you can see across the moorland properly. It works as a walking stop rather than a destination in itself. If you're based at Sunnyside Eco Glamping or Woodovis just down the road, it's worth a morning stroll before heading to Tavistock for lunch. Combine it with walks across Dartmoor proper if you want a fuller day out.