Bald Hill

The walk up Bald Hill rewards you with proper views across the Sidmouth coastline and rolling Devon countryside. It's not a scramble - more a steady climb through farmland and scrub that takes about twenty minutes from the car park near town. The summit itself is modest, but the 360-degree perspective makes it clear why locals make the trip.

Family groups will find it manageable without being tedious. Kids might grumble at the incline, but it's short enough that they'll forget about it once they reach the top. On a clear day you can make out the coast eastwards toward Exmouth, and inland the landscape just rolls on. The turf is rough underfoot in places, so proper boots beat trainers.

Don't expect a café or facilities up there - bring a thermos if you want one. Best visited early morning to avoid crowds, and the afternoon light is sharper for photographs. Allow an hour including the climb and a proper look around.

If you're staying at Oakdown or Cuckoo Down Farm just down the road, this is precisely the sort of half-morning outing that makes a caravan holiday tick. It's free, straightforward, and genuinely rewarding without demanding much effort. Ladram Bay is close enough too if you fancy a quick walk between beach days. Worth doing once, particularly if weather's decent.