Little Trowlesworthy Tor

The walk up to Little Trowlesworthy Tor takes about twenty minutes from the car park, and it's not difficult - more of a steady plod across moorland than anything requiring proper hiking boots. The tor itself is modest compared to some of Dartmoor's more famous peaks, but that's rather the point. You get the sense of having actually discovered something rather than shuffled along with fifty other visitors.

The views back towards Plymouth are decent on a clear day, and the rock formations at the summit are worth clambering over. If you're staying at Dartmoor Domes just down the road, this makes a cracking half-day outing - enough to work up an appetite without eating the whole afternoon. Children will either love scrambling about on the rocks or get bored within twenty minutes, depending on their age and disposition.

Timing-wise, allow ninety minutes total if you're not rushing. It's free, obviously, being moorland. The best window is late afternoon when the light's golden and the crowds from the car parks have mostly cleared. Winter can be muddy and exposed, so spring through early autumn works better unless you enjoy being properly battered by wind.

The location means it slots well into a broader Dartmoor itinerary - you're close enough to other tors and walking spots that you could string together a decent day. Just don't expect solitude in August. Early morning is the move if you want that.