Drewsteignton, Dartmoor National Park

Drewsteignton, Dartmoor National Park
  • Pretty village near the northern border of Dartmoor National Park. The Dartmoor beauty spot Fingle Bridge, the stunning Teign Gorge and the National Trust's Castle Drogo are nearby
  • Superb base for a walking holiday. Drewsteignton is on the Two Moors Way and the Teign Gorge provides some of the best walks in Dartmoor National Park
  • Enjoy local food and drink at The Drewe Arms, Fingle Bridge Inn and Castle Drogo Visitor Centre and Cafe
  • Visit one of Dartmoor's finest prehistoric sites at Spinster's Rock
  • Discover the sculptures of Peter Randall-Page and spend an afternoon at the brilliant Stone Lane Gardens and Mythic Garden Sculpture Exhibition
  • Main photo: The Drewe Arms by Drewsteignton Holy Trinity Church by the village square in Drewsteignton

 

Where is Drewsteignton in Dartmoor National Park?

Drewsteignton is located near the northern border of Dartmoor National Park. The A30 is to the north. The A382 is to the west.

The pretty village sits in rolling countryside near the stunning Teign Gorge and a short distance from Dartmoor's north moor.

Chagford, a major Dartmoor gateway town and visitor destination, is to the south west.

 

Directions to Drewsteignton

The A30 is the major Devon/Cornwall access road. Drive to Whiddon Down and then exit onto the A382. Drive towards Chagford. You'll come to Sandypark. Follow signs to the National Trust's Castle Drogo and then Drewsteignton. It's very easily accessible but the moorland roads are skinny.

The north eastern section of Dartmoor National Park is crossed by lanes. These lead to Drewsteignton from all directions.

We've positioned Drewsteignton on Google maps. Zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.

 

Parking in Drewsteignton

Use the public car park on the north side of the village.

There's limited parking in the village square but this is used by locals.

 

Why holiday or weekend break in Drewsteignton?

To help you choose Drewsteignton, we've listed some of the local attractions below.

 

The Drewe Arms and other local pubs near Drewsteignton

Enjoy a pub lunch or cream tea in the Drewsteignton area.

The Drewe Arms is located on the village square next to Drewsteignton Holy Trinity Church.

A skinny moorland lane descends from Drewsteignton to the Dartmoor beauty spot Fingle Bridge where you'll find Fingle Bridge Inn on the north bank of the River Teign. Amazing location.

The Old Inn is located on Drewsteignton square. 'Gourmet fine dining in our homely Dartmoor restaurant.'

The National Trust's Castle Drogo Visitor Centre and Cafe is great for a cream tea.

You can also buy food and drink from Drewsteignton Stores on Drewsteignton square.

 

Two Moors Way and Drewsteignton

The Two Moors Way is a long-distance walking route running between Lynmouth on the Exmoor coast and Ivybridge on the southern border of Dartmoor National Park (the Erme-Plym Trail continues to Wembury. Combined, the Two Moors Way and Erme-Plym Trail form the Coast to Coast Path).

The Two Moors Way enters Dartmoor near Drewsteignton, passes through the village and continues to the Hunter's Path in the Teign Gorge. It's a wonderful stretch of the walk.

See our Two Moors Way on Dartmoor listing for more information.

 

Peter Randall-Page sculptures around Drewsteignton

Peter Randall-Page is a celebrated sculptor. He lives in the Drewsteignton area and his work is dotted around the landscape here.

See IIMW SculptureSecret Place Sculpture  and Granite Song Sculpture, River Teign on the Two Moors Way.

Wander up to Passage Sculpture Whiddon Deer Park in Whiddon Deer Park.

 

Fingle Bridge and Fingle Bridge Inn near Drewsteignton

The River Teign rises in two places on Dartmoor's north moor. It flows past Chagford to Castle Drogo (National Trust) and the stunning Teign Gorge (National Trust).

Fingle Bridge is a Dartmoor beauty spot at the eastern end of the Teign Gorge. It's super popular and very beautiful.

Grab a pint by the river in the terraced garden of Fingle Bridge Inn.

 

The Teign Gorge near Drewsteignton

The Teign Gorge (National Trust) is one of the best places to walk in Dartmoor National Park. Try the  Teign Gorge Circular Walk (Fingle Bridge to Castle Drogo).

We'd also recommend walking east of the Teign Gorge in Fingle Woods. This is basically a continuation of the steep-sided valley cut by the River Teign. Try the  Teign Gorge and Fingle Woods to Steps Bridge Walk.

 

The National Trust's Castle Drogo near Drewsteignton

England's youngest castle sits in a remarkable location above  Salmon Leaps, Castle Drogo Weir and Drewe's Pool and the mouth of the Teign Gorge.   Castle Drogo (National Trust) terrace offers huge views of the Chagford area and Dartmoor's north moor.

Explore the house, walk the gardens and grab a cream tea at the  Castle Drogo Visitor Centre and Cafe. There's a great shop as well.

 

Fingle Woods and Dunsford near Drewsteignton

The National Trust and Woodland Trust bought Fingle Woods (National Trust/Woodland Trust) in recent years and have done a brilliant job in opening it out to the public. Walk along the River Teign and visit  Wooston Castle Hillfort.

Dunsford is at the far end of Fingle Woods. This pretty village is close to  Dunsford Wood (National Trust) which is known for its show of wild daffodils.

 

Blackingstone Rock and the reservoirs near Drewsteignton

Blackingstone Rock is another Dartmoor beauty spot just south of the Teign Gorge. The view across to Dartmoor's north moor is sensational.

We'd also recommend pushing south of Blackingstone Rock to explore Kennick Reservoir,  Tottiford Reservoir and Trenchford Reservoir.

 

Dartmoor prehistory near Drewsteignton

Dartmoor has an extraordinarily important collection of prehistoric sites. One of the best is Spinster's Rock near Drewsteignton.

If prehistory is of interest, also head up to the moor above Chagford to experience Scorhill Stone Circle,  Shovel Down Stone Rows and Hurston Ridge/Chagford Common Stone Row.

 

Stone Lane Gardens and Mythic Garden Sculpture Exhibition near Drewsteignton

The compact Stone Lane Gardens and Mythic Garden Sculpture Exhibition is one of the best in the Westcountry. Essential visiting if you're on holiday in the Drewsteignton area.

 

Chagford near Drewsteignton

Chagford is one of Dartmoor's gateway towns. It's beautiful and very popular with tourists which means it's packed with pubs, cafes and shops.

 

Dartmoor's north moor near Drewsteignton

Dartmoor is known for its high moorland. It's less well known for its amazing river valleys, gorges and cleaves. A holiday in the Drewsteignton area exposes you to both.

Try walking the north moor from Batworthy Corner or the moorland village Belstone.

 

Fernworthy Forest and Fernworthy Reservoir near Drewsteignton

In addition to high moorland and river valleys, explore one of Dartmoor's forests. Fernworthy Forest and Fernworthy Reservoir are located on the other side of Chagford from Drewsteignton.

Walk around the reservoir or follow paths out of the forest onto the high moor. Try visiting Sittaford Tor and The Grey Wethers Stone Circles.

 

The A30, A382 and B3212 from Drewsteignton

Dartmoor is situated close to the A382 and A30. These provide easy access to other areas in Dartmoor, Devon and Cornwall.

We'd also recommend driving the B3212 trans-moorland road from Moretonhampstead.

 

Local town and villages near Drewsteignton

For towns, try Chagford and Moretonhampstead. Okehampton has an English Heritage castle and top museum.

For villages, head to Sticklepath and Belstone.