St Michael de Rupe

The tower of St Michael de Rupe rises above Brentor village like a defiant finger, perched 1,100 feet up on a volcanic outcrop that dominates the moorland around Okehampton. You'll spot it from miles away - a squat, sturdy medieval church crowned with battlements, looking rather more fortress than place of worship. Getting there means a steep climb of about ten minutes from the car park, but the views across Dartmoor make it worthwhile. Inside, the church is small and spare, with that particular quiet that only old stone buildings seem to achieve.

This is very much a walker's church rather than a destination in itself. History types will appreciate the Norman foundations and the fact that it's been here since the 12th century, commanding the landscape long before the roads below were properly mapped. It's free to visit, and there's no formal opening hours - you can approach it any time, though the climb is bleak in bad weather. Allow 20 minutes for the ascent and a similar time to have a proper look round.

If you're based at Lydford Caravan & Camping Park or Woodovis Holiday Park, both just four miles down the road, this makes a proper half-day outing. Combine it with a walk across the moors or a visit to nearby Widecombe-in-the-Moor, and you've got a genuine moorland adventure. It's not comfortable or cosy, but it's got character.