Set Tor

The walk up Set Tor from Tavistock side takes about forty minutes if you're not dawdling, though most people do. It's a proper moorland hill - nothing dramatic, but the kind of place where the views open up gradually the higher you climb, and suddenly you realise you can see for miles across Dartmoor.

At the summit you'll find the distinctive stone tower, which catches everyone's eye first. It's not ancient, mind you - the Victorians built it as a folly, though there's been various theories about its purpose over the years. The stones are weathered now, and it looks like it belongs up there, which is what really matters.

Walkers will absolutely get something out of Set Tor. The moorland paths are straightforward enough for families with older kids, though younger ones might find the exposed section tedious. On a clear day it's genuinely worth the effort - the views back towards Tavistock and across the moor are the kind that make you understand why people fell in love with this part of Devon. On a grey day, though, you're mostly staring at cloud.

It's free to visit, naturally. Allow about ninety minutes to two hours if you're taking photos and enjoying the top. If you're staying at Lydford Caravan & Camping Park nearby, this makes a solid morning walk before lunch. Spring and autumn are best - summer gets busy with day-trippers, and winter can turn the paths into genuine bogs.