Sampford Tor

The walk up Sampford Tor, just outside Tavistock, rewards you with views across Dartmoor that make the climb entirely worthwhile. The granite peak itself isn't massive - you're looking at around 400 metres elevation - but the moorland approach is proper moorland, exposed and windswept in the best way.

It's a solid 30 to 45 minutes up depending on your pace and which route you take. The paths are generally clear enough, though you'll be treading on rough moorland grass rather than manicured trails. Bring good boots; it gets boggy after rain. The view from the top spans across to Brown Willy and across the high moor towards the prison - it's genuinely expansive rather than just looking at the next valley over.

Families with older kids will manage this fine. Younger ones might struggle with the uneven terrain and lack of facilities. There's nothing at the top - no café, no visitor centre, just you and the wind and the view. That's rather the point.

Walkers tackling Dartmoor circuits will find Sampford Tor a logical add-on to a day's hiking. If you're staying at Langstone Manor Holiday Park nearby, this sits just on your doorstep as a morning excursion. It's free, of course - just turn up. The best light is either early morning when mist clings to the lower slopes, or late afternoon when the granite glows. Avoid midday in high summer if you prefer solitude.