Royal Air Force Memorial

The RAF Memorial sits on a windswept hillside overlooking Plymouth, and it's a genuinely moving spot if you've got any connection to military history or just appreciate honest tributes to the fallen. The stone work itself is simple - no fussy carving, just clean lines and the names. You're looking at a memorial that does what it sets out to do without theatre.

It's not a long visit. Twenty minutes tops, even if you linger. But the views across Plymouth and out towards the sound make it worth the drive from town. The walk up is moderate - nothing taxing, though it can be muddy after rain.

Families with older kids will get something from it, particularly if you take time to explain the context. Younger children might find it a bit sombre and quiet for sustained interest. History enthusiasts and anyone with military family will absolutely want to come.

If you're staying at Dartmoor Domes - just six miles away - it's an easy addition to a day out exploring the edges of Dartmoor and the coast around Plymouth. Combine it with a proper walk on the moor itself, then head into the city for a decent lunch. The memorial works best not as a standalone destination but as a quiet pause within a larger day.