Loughtor Man

You're basically walking up to a Bronze Age burial mound on Dartmoor that's been here for about 4,000 years. Loughtor Man sits on high moorland near Tavistock, and it's the kind of place that rewards you with proper views once you've made the climb. The barrow itself is modest - a grass-covered mound that doesn't announce itself loudly - but standing there looking out across Dartmoor puts things in perspective.

Walkers will get the most from this. You're not popping in for fifteen minutes; the appeal is in the walk itself and the wider landscape. There's no visitor centre, no interpretation boards really, so you need to bring your own curiosity about Bronze Age burial practices and why people chose these high spots. In winter the moorland can be bleak and dramatic. Summer's gentler but busier.

If you're staying at Dartmoor National Park for a proper holiday, Loughtor Man works as a morning walk before heading into Tavistock for lunch. It's free, open all hours - typical Dartmoor access really. Allow two to three hours including the walk itself. Bring proper boots; the path can be boggy and the weather changes fast up there. It won't thrill children unless they're the type who enjoy exploring wild moorland, but history-minded walkers and photographers will find it worthwhile.