Shovel Down

The walk up Shovel Down rewards you with one of the clearest views across Dartmoor, and it's mercifully less crowded than its more famous neighbours. The peak itself isn't particularly high at 520 metres, but the moorland around it opens up properly - bronze age stone circles dot the landscape, and on a clear day you can see right across to Exeter and beyond.

It's genuinely good for families with older kids or decent walkers. The path is straightforward enough, though the final push gets a bit boggy depending on the season. Most people manage the round trip in about ninety minutes, which means it doesn't swallow your whole afternoon. You'll want waterproof boots and proper weather gear - the exposed moorland catches the wind hard, and Dartmoor changes mood quickly.

If you're staying at Woodland Springs Touring Park, it's practically on your doorstep and worth doing on a decent morning before the afternoon clouds roll in. Combine it with Dartmoor National Park's broader trails for a longer break, or use it as a quick circuit walk when you fancy getting the legs moving without committing to a full day out. History buffs will appreciate the stone circles scattered about, though the main appeal is genuinely the views and the sense of proper moorland rather than any specific site. Free to access, and parking is straightforward at the main trailhead near Chagford.