Smith Hill Tor

Smith Hill Tor rises abruptly from the moorland west of Tavistock, offering one of those sudden, sharp climbs that makes your legs remember they're working. The rocky outcrop isn't enormous - you can summit it in under an hour from the carpark - but the views across Dartmoor are properly expansive once you're up there. On a clear day you can see for miles across the moorland plateau, which beats sitting in a car any day.

It's a straightforward walk rather than a technical scramble, though the final push to the trig point involves a bit of rock-hopping. The tor itself is granite, weathered into those distinctive chunks that make for decent photo opportunities without being Instagram-obvious. Children aged eight upwards will manage it fine; younger kids might find the steeper sections tedious.

The real appeal here is that it doesn't draw the crowds you'd get at some of the more famous Dartmoor peaks. You'll likely have the summit to yourself, which makes a change. Allow 90 minutes return if you're not rushing. The moorland setting means weather changes fast, so check the forecast and bring a windproof - even when it's calm in Tavistock, it's properly blustery up there.

If you're based at Lydford Caravan & Camping Park, you're perfectly positioned. The tor makes a solid morning outing before heading down to explore the village or tackling a longer moorland walk elsewhere on Dartmoor. It's not a day-long commitment, which suits people who want to pack several things into their week.