Shell Top

The walk up Shell Top rewards you with a proper moorland vista that justifies the trudge from Plymouth's outskirts. It's a genuine peak on Dartmoor's fringes - nothing dramatic, but the sort of place where you genuinely feel removed from the city despite being barely half an hour from the town centre.

What you're doing is straightforward: hiking to the summit and taking in the rolling hills that stretch toward the heart of the moor. On a clear day the views fan out across Devon in all directions. The ground underfoot can be boggy, so proper boots matter. Allow a couple of hours for the round trip depending on fitness and how often you stop.

Walkers will get genuine value here. It's not a climb for the conquest-minded - more a chance to escape without travelling far. Families with kids aged eight upwards should manage it fine, though younger ones might grumble about the exposed moorland and lack of distractions. If you're staying at Dartmoor Domes three miles away, Shell Top makes a solid afternoon outing that doesn't require driving across the moor.

Go when the weather's decent. The whole point evaporates in fog and drizzle. Spring's your best bet - the moor's less boggy and the daylight stretches longer. Admission is free, naturally. Just turn up with suitable kit and allow the hours the walk demands. It's accessible enough to feel like a real excursion without being a major expedition.