Rackenford and Knowstone Moors

The moors around Rackenford and Knowstone roll out in that particular way Devon hills do - all wild heather, gorse, and sky. There's no visitor centre, no interpretation boards, no entrance fee. You just park up near Tiverton and walk onto open moorland that feels properly remote even though civilisation is closer than you'd think.

This is walker territory. The terrain shifts between soggy patches and firmer ground, depending on the season and how much rain Devon's thrown at it recently. Views stretch across to the Exmoor edges on clear days, and the light does something lovely when it catches the heather at late afternoon. Bring proper boots - trainers will leave your feet soaked within twenty minutes.

Families with young kids might find it a bit bleak and featureless after an hour or so. There's no shelter to speak of, and if weather turns - which it does, quickly - you're exposed. But serious walkers and anyone wanting to experience genuine, unmanaged moorland will find this worth the drive from Tiverton. Allow a couple of hours minimum for a decent walk.

The moors work well as part of a broader Devon holiday. Nirvana Glamping sits just a few miles away, so you could base yourself there and use Rackenford and Knowstone as one of several walking days. The landscape connects to broader Exmoor trails if you're in the mood for linking walks together.