Brownscombe Hill

Views across Torbay don't come much better than this. Brownscombe Hill rises above Paignton's outskirts, offering walkers a proper payoff for the climb - sweeping panoramas that take in the entire English Riviera coastline.

Families with older kids will manage the ascent well enough, though toddlers might find it a slog. The reward at the top makes it worthwhile: on clear days you can spot Dartmoor's tors to the west and the coastline stretching towards Start Point in the east. It's free to access, naturally, being open countryside.

Allow an hour for a leisurely walk up and back down, longer if you fancy a proper picnic at the summit. Early morning or late afternoon light shows the coast at its best, though any time works if the weather's cooperating.

Perfect for breaking up a holiday based at one of the nearby parks. Brownscombe Luxury Glamping sits practically at the hill's base, while Parkdean Resorts Torquay Holiday Park is only twenty minutes away by car. After a morning exploring Paignton's beaches or the zoo, this makes a lovely afternoon stretch of the legs with views that remind you why Devon's coast draws visitors back year after year.