Malmshead Hill

The walk up Malmshead Hill rewards you with one of those Devon views that makes the climb feel entirely justified. Starting from Lynton, it's a proper moorland trek that opens up across the north coast - on a clear day you're looking straight out to sea with the Bristol Channel laid out below. The path climbs steadily through heather and gorse, nothing technical, just the sort of breathing-hard-but-manageable gradient that keeps you moving at a decent pace.

What makes it work is the sheer exposure. You're not fiddling about in woods here; it's all wide-open sky and significant drops to the coast. The summit itself isn't monumentally high, but it feels like you've properly earned it by the time you reach the trig point. On quieter days you'll have the moorland largely to yourself, which is rare in Devon these days.

Walkers will get the most from this one - it's two to three hours depending on fitness, and you'll need proper boots if it's been wet. Families with younger kids might find the exposed sections a touch nerve-wracking, particularly when the wind picks up. Summer gives you the best light, though autumn brings dramatic skies that can look rather good in photos.

If you're staying at Lynmouth Holiday Retreat down the coast, this sits nicely within a wider walking itinerary around the area. It's genuine moorland walking without the scrambling, and it genuinely delivers on the view front.