Okehampton

Railway buffs know Okehampton as the terminus of the restored Dartmoor Line, bringing weekend services back to Devon's old market town after a 50-year gap. The Victorian station sits at the edge of this former wool trading centre, where the high street still has that proper market town feel - though it gets properly quiet midweek.

Dartmoor looms large here, quite literally. Sharp Tor and Gibbet Hill rise from the moorland just south of town, offering cracking views once you've tackled the trek up. The moor's western edge runs right up to Okehampton's doorstep, making it brilliantly placed for serious walkers. White Lady Waterfall provides a gentler option - a lovely spot for families, though it's best after decent rainfall.

Tavy Cleave Tors and the peaks around Standon Hill showcase proper wild Dartmoor at its most dramatic. This isn't chocolate-box Devon; it's granite tors, open moorland, and weather that changes by the hour. The medieval ruins of St Michael de Rupe church perch dramatically on a rocky outcrop, testament to the area's long history.

Getting here is straightforward enough - the A30 runs nearby, and Exeter's just 40 minutes by car. Those weekend trains from Exeter Central make it properly accessible without driving, though you'll want wheels to explore the wider moor.

Staying at one of the nearby parks makes perfect sense. Woodovis Holiday Park offers glamping pods right on Dartmoor's edge, while Langstone Manor provides a more traditional base. Either way, you're minutes from some of England's wildest landscapes without sacrificing modern comforts.