Mel Tor

The walk up Mel Tor takes about twenty minutes from the car park, and it's genuinely worth the effort. You're looking at a granite outcrop rising 1,368 feet above Dartmoor, with views that stretch clear across to the south coast on a decent day. The tor itself is modest - nothing that'll take your breath away compared to some of the bigger peaks on the moor - but the approach is lovely, particularly if you come from South Brent direction and catch the light hitting the granite properly.

It's proper family-friendly walking country. The paths are clear and well-trodden, and younger kids won't find it gruelling. The real draw is the sense of isolation you get up here, surrounded by nothing but moorland and sky. Walkers and outdoor types will appreciate the accessibility - you can be back at the car in under an hour if you're just after a straightforward leg-stretch, but there's enough moorland around to string out a proper afternoon hike.

The nearest town is South Brent, just a few miles south, which means you're well-positioned for a Dartmoor National Park break. Mel Tor works perfectly as a half-day objective, leaving you time to explore the wider moor or head back for a proper pub meal. Free to access, naturally - it's moorland. Best visited when the weather's clear; the views are the point here, and cloud cover will rob you of them entirely. Go on a crisp autumn or early spring morning for the nicest light.