Priddacombe Downs

The walk up to Priddacombe Downs rewards you with views across moorland that stretches toward Bodmin and beyond. It's a proper Cornish landscape - all windswept grass, granite outcrops, and that particular quality of light you only get on high ground when the clouds part. The downs themselves sit at a decent elevation, which means the walk in isn't trivial, but it's manageable for most fitness levels.

What you're really after here is the walk itself rather than a destination with facilities. There's no cafe, no visitor centre, no car park with a gift shop - it's just you and the moorland. That's the appeal for serious walkers and anyone who wants to escape the seaside crowds. Families with young children might find it a bit bleak on a grey day, and there's little to hold their attention once they've reached the top, but if you've got older kids who can manage a moderate hike, they'll appreciate the space and the sense of being properly out there.

If you're basing yourself at one of the nearby glamping spots - Camp De Lank is only four miles away and comes highly rated - this makes an excellent half-day excursion. The Bodmin area has several walks on its doorstep, so you can string together a proper walking holiday without covering huge distances. Allow two to three hours depending on your pace and how long you linger at the top. Go early on a clear day if possible; afternoon mist can roll in quickly.