iKnow Devon
All Central Devon Accommodation
Okehampton Castle remains, Dartmoor. Great woodland walks nearby
Lydford Castle, West Dartmoor. It was actually a prison, not a castle!
Mary Tavy Mine remains, West Dartmoor
Dartmoor Ponies on DartmoorDartmoor National Park Devon Okehampton Tavistock Yelverton UK
At the heart of Devon is one of the UK's most fascinating National Parks - Dartmoor. Mostly rugged moorland, it's a haven for walkers and those on the trail of ancient Megaliths and Stone Circles. Around the outskirts of the Dartmoor National Parks runs the Dartmoor Way, passing through historic towns such as Okehampton, Tavistock and Ashburton, many of which grew as stannary towns serving the Dartmoor Tin Industry. Dartmoor is superb for outdoor leisure pursuits with a choice of horse riding, climbing, walking, and watersports on the River Dart. Discover historic castles and stately homes, cosy real ale pubs, arts and crafts drawing on the Dartmoor landscape and a choice of Devon fishing hotspots and family holiday outdoor centres. Love the outdoors, love Dartmoor.
Further delights await in Central Devon. Explore the history of the English Civil War in Great Torrington, and golf fans head for Holsworthy and Yelverton Golf Courses.
Dartmoor National Park
Dartmoor National Park is possibly one of the most popular national parks in the UK, stretching across 368 square miles (954 sq km). For walkers, cyclists, nature lovers and birdwatchers and castle and industrial mining history enthusiasts Dartmoor is a firm favourite. Archeological remains and ancient prehistoric circles abound on this mostly rugged moorland landscape, with still some wooded valleys and a host of charming Devon Villages dotted particularly in the outskirts of the National Park.
At the time of the dinosaurs, Dartmoor and the whole of the South West Peninsula were submerged, only later to be pushed back up, with the top soft chalk surface of sea creature shells soon being eroded away to reveal the granite surface you see today. Dartmoor is a moorland of Tors, various of which are extremely dramatic such as Hound Tor or Brent Tor with church atop in West Dartmoor. Dartmoor then is really a granite lump, as is the Scilly Isles and Bodmin Moor. Dartmoor's choice of marked walkways are perfect for walkers, and cyclists are well served too.
Dartmoor is best explored on foot, and there is a choice of marked parths including the Two Moors Way, the circular Dartmoor Way and for cyclists there's the Devon Coast to Coast Cycle route which minds mostly through the east of this national park. Two B roads - the B3212 and the B3357 cross Dartmoor, with the A38 running along the southern edge of the moor and the A30 following the northern edge of Dartmoor. Visitors to Dartmoor should note that there is a 40 mile an hour (64 kilometre) spead limit throughout the park. Visitors to any part of Dartmoor need to sensitive to rapid changes in weather, and generally take care whilst walking on Moorland. Good maps, boots and protective clothing are highly recommended.
You'll find different themes in each section of Dartmoor. The highest peak in Dartmoor, at 2,039ft is High Willhays to the North, with a scattering of other peaks around it. The southern section of the national park is wild country indeed. You'll find lower peaks in the south, but a more barren landscape. The best of Dartmoor's prehistoric sites are to the west of the national park and to the East you'll discover a more laid back Dartmoor, with more villages with the central centre being Widecombe-in-the-moor. North Dartmoor visitors should also note that parts of this area of the park are military firing zones, and are closed to public access when in use, with warnings of Red Flags by day, and Red Lights by night. Full details of dates when the firing ranges in the North of the park are in use can be gauged from the Dartmoor Firing Range weblink to the right. Details are also published in the local press. It's essential to check that you have access to these areas in North Dartmoor before visiting. Dartmoor Tourist Information
West Devon - Holsworthy & Great Torrington
West Devon is ideal for families and outdoor pursuits. Holsworthy is one of Devon's hidden little gems with a great Pannier Market. It's a delightful old market town, set in the gentle countryside of Tarka country. Holsworthy is crammed with superb amenities such as shops, inns and pubs and lots of good value West Devon B&Bs and Hotels. A great Devon family base with swimming, fishing and walking in Tarka country all on the menu.
Holsworthy is particularly acclaimed for it's Devon golf and golf course! The Holsworthy golf course is a challenging 18 hole parkland course, with ample facilities including golf tuition. Holsworthy Golf Club, Kilatree, Holsworthy, North Devon. EX22 6XU. Tel: 01409 253177.
Great Torrington's links with the English Civil War and all things Roundheads and Caveliers is not by accident. There was a horrendously brutal battle here at Great Torrington in 1646. Great Torrington in North West Devon is a superb family base, and the town explores it's links with the English Civil war well.
There are English Civil War trails, costumed characters everywhere, a main exhibition centre and lots to see from how musket balls were made to trying on some 17th century armour. Kids will love this come-alive English Civil War journey around Torrington. Great Torrington is also a great stopping off point from the Tarka Trail, which runs 180 miles through both North and Central Devon.West Devon Tourist Information
Tavistock & Yelverton - Fishing & Golf
Tavistock on the western side of the Dartmoor National Park is an ideal base from which to explore some of the best Megalithic sites in the Dartmoor National Park, as well as some of Dartmoor's most striking Tors such as Brent Tor. Tavistock also has an excellent Pannier Market, and if you're interested in Dartmoor Mining history then check out the remains of the Wheal Betsy mine at Mary Tavy near Tavistock. Alternatively take a leisurely walk along Tavistock's own canal, built in the early 18th century.
Love Devon fishing! Head for Tavistock, tailor-made for fishing fans! Tavistock has many hotspot fishing areas including Tavistock Trout Farm and Fishery and Burrator Reservoir nearby. Devon fly fishing is on the menu at Tavistock Fishery!
Yelverton, at the southern end of Dartmoor National Park has two particular claims to fame - it's golf and Buckland Abbey, the famous home of Sir Francis Drake! Although most associated with Sir Francis Drake, Buckland Abbey was first errected and settled by the Cistercian Monks. The house is approximately 700 years old and well worth a look on the Sir Francis Drake Devon trail.
Yelverton Golf - you're in for a treat! Yelverton Gofl Course is an attractive 18 hole golf course situated just inside the Dartmoor National Park. Golf fans can expect superb views from this moorland golf course of Dartmoor. Yelverton Golf Club, Golf Links Road, Yelverton, PL20 6BN. Tel: 01822 852824. Tavistock Tourist Information
Okehampton Central Devon
Okehampton to the far North of Dartmoor National Park is a Dartmoor/Devon hotspot base for walkers and cyclists. It sits adjacent to both the Dartmoor Way and the Dartmoor Cycle Route and Millennium cycle route. Okehampton itself is a charming little village, with lots of traditional Dartmoor accommodation venues.
Okehampton is also home to the fascinating Museum of Dartmoor Life. The particular edge of this Dartmoor People museum is the collection of oral, visual and photographic history of Dartmoor farmers, Dartmoor tin miners, cidar making and more. Dartmoor farming has seen many changes over the years
Also just outside Okehampton are the splendid remains of Okehampton Castle. This Devon Castle just happens to be the only castle listed in the Domesday Book of 1086. Substantial ruins remain, including Norman motte and the jagged remains of the keep, and the short wooded walk upto it from Okehampton town centre is most attractive!
A visit to Okehampton is hardly complete without a trip on the beautifully scenic Dartmoor Railway. It's a superb way to view this northern section of Dartmoor National Park. The aptly named 'Dartmoor Pony' puffs off from Okehampton Station and climbs for 2 miles through glorious scenic Devon countryside.Okehampton Tourist Information
