Furze Hill

Standing at 202 metres above the Bristol Channel, this grassy summit offers one of North Devon's finest coastal panoramas without the crowds that plague nearby Woolacombe. The walk up from Ilfracombe takes about 45 minutes through gorse-covered slopes that blaze yellow in spring - hence the name.

From the top, you'll see right across to Wales on clear days, with Lundy Island floating like a distant ship. The view west takes in the entire sweep of Woolacombe Bay, while eastward you can trace the coastline all the way to Lynmouth. It's properly spectacular stuff.

Walkers and photographers will get the most from Furze Hill. Families with older children who don't mind a decent climb will love it too, though toddlers might struggle with the gradient. The path can get muddy after rain, so decent boots are essential.

Allow two to three hours for the round trip from Ilfracombe town centre. Early morning visits reward you with the best light and fewer people. Evening climbs work well too - the sunset views are cracking.

If you're staying at one of the nearby holiday parks like Woolacombe Bay or Golden Coast, this makes an excellent day out that'll tire the kids properly. Much better value than some of the paid attractions in the area, and the views beat anything you'll see from a car window.