Meldon Reservoir

Drive up into the moors above Okehampton and you'll find yourself at Meldon Reservoir, a sprawling expanse of water that catches the light in ways that make you understand why people bother coming out here at all. It's a proper working reservoir - built to supply water to the surrounding areas - but what matters to visitors is the walk around it and the views back towards the granite tors of Dartmoor.

The circuit takes a couple of hours at an easy pace, following a decent path that stays mostly level. On a clear day the scenery opens up nicely; on a grey one it feels moody and atmospheric. Families with primary-age kids will manage it fine, though younger children might flag. The real appeal is to walkers who want something straightforward without too much climbing, and anyone interested in industrial heritage - the dam itself is Victorian engineering, quite handsome once you get close to it.

There's free parking at the reservoir and no admission charge that we're aware of. Go when the weather's settled; moorland rain can turn the place from pleasant to grim in minutes. It pairs well with the nearby Lydford Caravan & Camping Park if you're basing yourself in the area, or the more upmarket Wolf Wood Treehouses if you're after something different. Both are within easy reach, making Meldon a logical stop on a broader Dartmoor trip rather than a destination in itself.