Exmoor National Park

Exmoor sprawls across the Devon-Somerset border like someone's spilled a pot of watercolour across the landscape - all heather moorland, deep wooded valleys, and sudden cliffs that drop straight into the Bristol Channel. The park covers 267 square miles, so you're not tackling this in an afternoon. What you actually do here depends entirely on what you fancy: serious hikers will lose themselves on the high moors for days; families with younger kids will prefer the valleys around Lynton where the woodland walks are gentler and the views less vertiginous.

The coastal section is genuinely dramatic. Foreland Point and Valley of Rocks deliver proper high-altitude seaside views - though I'll be honest, they're crowded in summer and the paths can get churned up. Inland, the moorland is wilder and quieter, especially heading towards Simonsbath. Red deer roam here, which is quite something, though you'll need patience and luck to spot them.

There's no charge to enter - it's open countryside - but parking at trailheads costs a few quid. Budget a full day minimum if you're serious about exploring, though a weekend gives you room to breathe. Golden Sands Touring Park sits just 8.5 miles away near Lynton, making it a natural base. Visit between May and September unless you're the sort who enjoys getting soaked on a winter moor. Families with younger legs might find the scale of the place overwhelming - stick to the valley walks instead.