Okement Hill

Okement Hill rises up from the moorland east of Okehampton like a proper hill should - steep enough to feel earned, but not so brutal that you'll regret the effort. The walk up takes about an hour from the car park, and the views from the top sweep across Dartmoor's rumpled landscape in all directions. On a clear day you can see for miles; on a cloudy one, you're standing in the mist wondering if you've actually summited anything at all.

This is walker's territory, not a tourist trap. There's no café, no visitor centre, no gift shop flogging miniature brass moorland sculptures. It's just you, the wind, and the sense that you've gone somewhere proper. The peak itself is marked, so you won't get lost wondering if you've reached the top.

The real appeal here is the solitude and the sense of accomplishment. Families with energetic kids will find it rewarding - the payoff view motivates tired legs. But toddlers and those after a gentle stroll will find it a slog. Allow two to three hours for the round trip depending on fitness and how long you linger.

If you're staying at Lydford Caravan & Camping Park or Woodland Springs nearby, it's an excellent half-day outing. Combine it with a walk around Lydford Gorge or a drive to Postbridge, and you've got a proper moorland day sorted. Free, obviously. Just turn up with decent boots.