Lydford Castle and Saxon Town

The mound rises abruptly from the moorland near Okehampton, and once you're up there, you understand why the Saxons chose this spot. Lydford Castle is really two things layered on top of each other - a Saxon burh, or fortified town, built around 930 AD to defend against Viking raids, topped by a squat Norman keep thrown up in the 1190s. The keep itself is the only bit still standing, a four-storey stone square that's smaller than you'd expect but impressively solid.

Walking the ramparts takes maybe forty minutes, and the views across the Dartmoor landscape are properly worth the climb. The mound is steep enough to feel like a proper hike, though nothing daunting. On a clear day you can see for miles. It's free to access and works brilliantly as a quick stop during a moorland walk, or a standalone afternoon if you're the sort who enjoys a bit of Saxon history with your leg stretch.

Historically minded visitors will get the most from it - there's enough story here to make the spot feel significant rather than just a nice viewpoint. Kids tend to enjoy clambering around for thirty minutes or so, though the lack of interpretation boards means younger ones won't hold interest much longer. Families based at nearby Lydford Caravan & Camping Park have an obvious winner right on their doorstep, while Wolf Wood Treehouses offer a more upmarket base for exploring the wider Dartmoor area. The castle pairs well with Lydford Gorge if you're spending a full day locally.