Peak Hill

The walk up Peak Hill rewards you with one of Dartmoor's most straightforward summit experiences, just a few miles from Tavistock. Nothing complicated about it - you get proper moorland views, a trig point, and the kind of 360-degree perspective that makes the effort worthwhile.

It's not a long haul. Most people manage the ascent in under an hour from the car park, which means families with younger legs won't spend the whole afternoon trudging uphill. The terrain is moorland through and through - gorse, heather, the occasional boggy bit if you're unlucky with the weather. Walkers especially will find it satisfying; the path is clear enough, and there's genuine purpose to reaching the top rather than just wandering about.

The view itself justifies the trip. On a clear day you're looking out across the heart of Dartmoor, with Tavistock visible to the north and the landscape rolling away in all directions. It's the kind of spot where you can see why people settle nearby. On a grey day - which is more often than not - it's atmospheric but less thrilling.

Free to visit, naturally. Allow a couple of hours including the walk back down. If you're staying at Langstone Manor Holiday Park or Dartmoor Domes nearby, it's a genuinely good use of a morning. Don't expect facilities - there's nothing at the summit beyond the trig point. Bring water and something to eat if you plan to linger.