Exeter

Steep lanes wind past thatched cottages and ancient stone walls, where Devon's countryside meets the edge of Dartmoor. This is proper rural England - all rolling hills, deep valleys, and that particular light that makes photographers weep with joy.

The moors stretch endlessly westward. Butterdon Hill and Mardon Down offer those lung-busting climbs that reward you with views across the Teign Valley. On clear days, you can see all the way to Torbay. The summit of Cranbrook Down is less taxing but equally rewarding.

History buffs will find plenty to poke around. Cranbrook Hill Fort sits brooding on its hillside, while Meacombe burial chamber whispers of Bronze Age rituals. Fingle Mill, grinding grain since 1790, still turns its wheels by the River Teign - though the Victorian restoration rather sanitised its medieval character.

For something completely different, the Motor Museum houses a cracking collection of vintage motors. Meanwhile, Cleave Farm stands as a romantic ruin, slowly being reclaimed by ivy and time.

Getting here requires a proper country drive - narrow lanes that test your reversing skills when you meet a tractor. Newton Abbot is your nearest proper town, about twenty minutes southeast. The A38 gets you close, but expect to navigate some seriously twisty B-roads for the final approach.

Staying at one of the nearby holiday parks makes perfect sense. You're right on Dartmoor's doorstep, yet close enough to Exeter for city diversions. Several parks offer everything from basic pitches to luxury glamping with hot tubs - ideal after a day tramping the moors. The countryside here changes with every season, from misty mornings to crisp winter walks when the bracken turns gold.