White Tor

The walk up White Tor takes about forty minutes from Tavistock, and it's proper straightforward - no scrambling required. You're climbing through moorland on Dartmoor, gaining height gradually until you reach the rocky summit at around 1,400 feet. The views are genuinely worth the effort. On a clear day you can see across the moor in every direction, with Tavistock tucked below you and the wider sweep of Devon stretching out beyond.

It's not a dramatic peak - no jagged rocks or anything like that - but it's compelling in its own way. The landscape feels genuinely wild up there, even though you're never far from civilization. Families with older kids will manage it fine; younger ones might find it a bit long. Walkers will appreciate the moorland terrain and the way the views develop as you climb. History buffs won't find much at the summit itself, but the journey tells you plenty about how Dartmoor has been worked over centuries.

Go early if possible, especially in summer weekends when Tavistock itself gets rammed. There's no charge for the walk, and you don't need any special kit beyond decent boots - the ground can be boggy in patches. If you're staying at Langstone Manor or Lydford, White Tor makes a proper morning's work before lunch. It's the sort of walk that reminds you why you came to Devon in the first place.