Knowle Hill

The walk up Knowle Hill takes you through proper Dartmoor country - open moorland that rolls on for miles, with Newton Abbot sitting in the valley below like something from a model railway. It's not a dramatic peak, more a steady climb across heathland dotted with gorse, but the views once you're up there make it worthwhile. On a clear day you can see right across Devon, which beats staring at car parks any day.

This is a straightforward walk rather than a scramble - most fit walkers will be up and down in under two hours. The terrain is moorland typical of Dartmoor: firm ground mostly, though it can be boggy after heavy rain. You'll see why the area's so good for walking once you're up there - the sense of space and open sky is the whole point. On misty days it's atmospheric in a way that makes you understand why there are so many legends about this part of the moor.

Historically minded types might find the Bronze Age cairns and evidence of ancient settlement interesting, though they're not as dramatic as some Dartmoor sites. Families with younger kids should probably choose one of the marked trails rather than a direct assault - the reward needs to feel worth the graft when you're eight years old.

If you're staying at one of the nearby glamping spots - Brownscombe or The Smithy are closest - Knowle Hill works as a morning walk before heading into Newton Abbot for lunch. It's free, it's accessible, and it's the sort of walk that reminds you why you bothered leaving home.