Holdstone Hill

The walk up Holdstone Hill takes about forty minutes from Ilfracombe and rewards you with proper views across the Bristol Channel towards Wales. It's not particularly high - 318 metres - but the climb is steep enough to feel earned, and the coastal perspective you get is genuinely worth the effort.

On a clear day you can see for miles. The surrounding moorland gives it a wild feel despite being so close to a busy seaside town, and the paths are well-maintained underfoot. Most people will manage it fine, though it's not ideal for very young children or anyone with mobility issues due to the gradient.

Allow an hour and a half for a leisurely round trip, including time to catch your breath at the top. The walk is free, naturally - it's open moorland - and you can park near the town and head up from there. Worth doing early morning or late afternoon when Ilfracombe itself feels less hectic.

If you're staying at one of the nearby parks - Longlands Luxury Glamping is barely a mile away, Sandaway Beach or Newberry Valley only slightly further - it makes a cracking half-day adventure without needing to drive anywhere. Pairs well with a beach session or fish and chips in town afterwards. The wind can be bracing even when the valley below feels calm, so bring a jumper. Decent for families who enjoy a proper walk, less so if you're after something gentle.