Top Tor

The walk up Top Tor from South Brent takes about forty minutes if you're reasonably fit, and the effort pays off with proper views across Dartmoor. It's a granite peak - nothing massive, but high enough to feel like an achievement once you're standing on the summit looking south towards the coast.

You get a rocky outcrop to scramble around at the top, which kids enjoy, and the moorland approach is straightforward enough. The real draw is the perspective. Being up there gives you a sense of Dartmoor's scale - all those rolling hills and gorse-covered slopes stretching out. Clear days are essential though. I visited on a grey afternoon and it felt a bit flat, honestly.

Historically it marks an old Bronze Age settlement area, though there's not much to see beyond the rocks themselves. Walkers will get the most from it, particularly if you're basing yourself nearby and want a quick half-day hike that doesn't demand serious preparation. It works well as part of a wider Dartmoor walking circuit rather than a destination in its own right.

Free access, obviously. Parking is roadside near the village. If you're staying at one of the Dartmoor National Park holiday parks within a few miles - and they're genuinely good for families - Top Tor makes a reasonable morning or afternoon activity. Just don't expect it to swallow hours of your time.