Dartmoor and the South Hams from Plymouth

Editor's note

Four nights in the South Hams. Walk the sand bar to Burgh Island at low tide and ride the sea tractor back when the tide covers it. From Salcombe, take the ferry to the sand bars at East Portlemouth and walk the subtropical garden at Overbeck's. Dartmouth Castle, the oldest known purpose-built coast artillery fort in Britain, guards the harbour mouth; cross the Dart and ride the steam train from Kingswear. At Torcross, a Sherman tank recovered from the sea is the memorial to at least 749 American servicemen killed in Exercise Tiger in April 1944. Totnes Castle and the roofless mansion at Berry Pomeroy fill another day.

Editor's note

One night on Dartmoor, the last before the crossing home. From Okehampton Camp, climb High Willhays, at 621m the highest point on Dartmoor and in southern England, and neighbouring Yes Tor. Okehampton Camp sits on the edge of the military ranges, so check the MoD firing notices first. On the western moor, walk to the Merrivale stone rows, a Bronze Age double row of standing stones, and in the West Dart valley into Wistman's Wood, an ancient oakwood among the boulders. Dartmoor ponies roam free across the open moor.