Wheelpit (60', Dartmoor's Largest)

The moorland around Newton Abbot hides one of Dartmoor's more unusual historical features - a 60-foot deep pit that's been around since medieval times, possibly earlier. Wheelpit is a proper sinkhole, the kind of feature you stumble upon while walking the moor and suddenly realise the ground has simply vanished beneath your feet.

What you're looking at is likely a collapsed natural cavity, though some reckon it was enlarged for mining or quarrying work centuries ago. The sheer scale of it is striking - standing at the rim and peering down, you get a real sense of the geological drama that shaped this landscape. It's not a manicured attraction with signage and handrails; it's raw moorland archaeology.

This is one for serious walkers and geology types rather than casual day-trippers. You'll need to locate it yourself on the moor - no visitor infrastructure, which means no queues but also no facilities. Allow time to explore the surrounding moorland; the walk in is half the experience. The best approach is combining a visit with other Dartmoor features nearby.

If you're based at Oakmoor Touring Park, which sits just outside Newton Abbot, Wheelpit makes a solid morning walk before heading back to camp. The moor's unpredictable weather means pick a clear day - visibility matters when you're trying to spot a massive hole in the ground. Completely free and entirely at your own pace, though do check locally for safe access and current conditions before setting out.