Peat Cot Hill

The walk up Peat Cot Hill rewards you with a proper moorland experience, the kind where you're genuinely above it all, staring across Dartmoor's open expanse in every direction. It's not particularly high - 457 metres - but it feels commanding because there's nothing between you and the horizon once you reach the top.

Tavistock sits just a few miles away, making this an easy half-day outing from town. The ascent itself is straightforward enough, a steady climb through typical moorland terrain, though the ground can be boggy underfoot depending on recent weather. Allow an hour for the walk without rushing, maybe ninety minutes if you're stopping to take photographs or simply sit and absorb the view.

This is squarely for walkers and anyone who enjoys open moorland without the crowds. The summit rewards you with views that stretch towards the Cornish border, and on a clear day you get a genuine sense of isolation despite being so close to civilisation. Families with confident children will enjoy it; younger kids might find the exposed terrain less forgiving if weather turns.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby parks - Dartmoor National Park itself is just 3.8 miles away, or Langstone Manor's glamping pods if you fancy something more comfortable - Peat Cot Hill works well as a morning walk before exploring elsewhere. It's free, unmarked, and genuinely feels like Dartmoor rather than a tourist tick-box. Go early on weekends to avoid the car park shuffle in Tavistock.