Water Hill

Water Hill isn't the kind of peak that'll stop you in your tracks from the car park - you need to actually walk to it. Rising just 383 metres above the Devon moors near Exeter, it's a modest summit by any measure, but what matters is the walk itself and what opens up once you're up there.

The approach takes you across proper moorland, the kind of terrain that shifts depending on season and weather. Spring brings bilberry and heather, while autumn turns everything bronze and gold. The views from the top sweep across Dartmoor to the north and down towards Exeter and the lowlands beyond. On a clear day you can see further than feels reasonable from a hill this size.

This works best for walkers rather than peak baggers - the climb's straightforward enough that families with decent boots can manage it, but there's nothing dramatic or showy about it. Kids might find it a bit of a slog if they're expecting cairns and drama. Allow a couple of hours there and back, depending on your pace and how long you linger. Go when the light's good, either early morning or late afternoon - the moorland changes character entirely depending on the sun's angle.

If you're based at Dartmoor National Park for a holiday, Water Hill makes a decent half-day outing, though honestly you're spoiled for choice in that area. It's more about adding another walk to your list than seeking out some essential Devon experience. Worth doing if you're in the neighbourhood, but not worth driving out of your way for.