Dunsford, Dartmoor National Park

Dunsford, Dartmoor National Park
  • Village on the north eastern border of Dartmoor National Park located between the high moor and Exeter. The Teign Valley provides easy access to South Devon and The English Riviera
  • Walk Dunsford Wood and Dunsford Nature Reserve. Known locally for their amazing early show of wild daffodils after winter. Continue to Fingle Woods and the Dartmoor beauty spot Fingle Bridge with Fingle Bridge Inn and then the Teign Gorge
  • Visit the National Trust's Castle Drogo
  • Enjoy the views from Heltor Rock, Blackingstone Rock and Mardon Down. Discover the cluster of reservoirs in this section of Dartmoor. Particularly amazing in autumn
  • Spend a day at Canonteign Falls in the Teign Valley. Head down to Bovey Tracey and then up to Haytor Rocks, Hound Tor and Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Experience the high moor
  • If you have kids, visit Haldon Forest Park south east of Dunsford. Explore the Exe Estuary, Teign Estuary and The English Riviera in South Devon
  • Main photo: wild daffodils at Dunsford Nature Reserve

 

Where is Dunsford in Dartmoor National Park?

Dunsford sits on the north eastern border of Dartmoor National Park between the high moor and Exeter. The village is located by the River Teign. Fingle Woods and the Teign Gorge are to the west. The Teign Valley runs south. Exeter and the glorious Exe Estuary are to the east. South Devon and The English Riviera are easily accessible via the A38 and A380. The Dunsford area is a great place in which to base yourself if you want to explore this section of Devon.

 

Directions to Dunsford

Follow the B3212, via Moretonhampstead, from the heart of Dartmoor or from Exeter.

If you're coming from South Devon then take the A38 to the Chudleigh area and drive the B3193 up the north eastern boder of Dartmoor National Park to Dunsford.

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

 

Parking in Dunsford

There's parking along the main road in the centre of the village near Dunsford St Mary's Church and The Royal Oak Inn.

If you are a customer of The Royal Oak Inn then there's parking out back.

 

The Royal Oak Inn in Dunsford

Enjoy a pub lunch at The Royal Oak Inn in the centre of the village.

Fingle Bridge at the eastern end of the stunning Teign Gorge is a Dartmoor beauty spot. Grab a pint by the River Teign at Fingle Bridge Inn.

There are a lot of pubs in the Teign Valley area south of Dunsford. Try The Bridford Inn in Bridford, Teign House Inn and the Artichoke Inn in Christow.

 

Dunsford Wood and Dunsford Nature Reserve

Take a walk to Steps Bridge and Dunsford Wood and Dunsford Nature Reserve. Dunsford is renowned for its early spring show of wild daffodils.

 

Heltor Rock and Blackingstone Rock and Mardon Down from Dunsford

Yomp up to Heltor Rock. About a mile south of Dunsford Local Nature Reserve at the eastern end of Fingle Woods, Heltor Rock provides terrific views of this section of the National Park and beyond.

Visit Blackingstone Rock. Some of the best views in Dartmoor National Park.

Experience Mardon Down. Head to the west side of Mardon Down for amazing views of Moretonhampstead, Fernworthy Forest and Dartmoor's north moor.

 

Fingle Woods from Dunsford

Discover Fingle Woods (National Trust/Woodland Trust). Fingle Woods is the collective term for the woodland running between Dunsford Nature Reserve and Fingle Bridge in the north eastern section of Dartmoor National Park. Beautiful place with a variety of great walks.

 

Fingle Bridge and Fingle Bridge Inn from Dunsford

Head to Fingle Bridge. Fingle Bridge is an exceedingly popular and well known Dartmoor beauty spot. Whilst the bridge that spans the River Teign below steep sided wooded valley walls is the focal point, Fingle Bridge as a beauty spot refers to the wider area. Situated in the Teign Gorge (National Trust), this is one of the most stunning places in Dartmoor National Park. It's great for walking, wildlife, history and views. There's a riverside pub by Fingle Bridge as well.

Relax at Fingle Bridge Inn. The pub sits on the north bank of the River Teign by Fingle Bridge. There's outside seating by the river. Super popular so can get crowded in high season.

 

Teign Gorge from Dunsford

Walk the Teign Gorge (National Trust). Widely recognised as being one of the most stunning areas in the National Park. Essential visiting if you're basing yourself around Dunsford in Dartmoor National Park.

 

The National Trust's Castle Drogo from Dunsford

Spend a day at Castle Drogo (National Trust). The last castle to be built in England, Castle Drogo is located on a spur of land at the mouth of the magnificent Teign Gorge.

 

Tottiford, Trenchford and Kennick reservoirs from Dunsford

The Tottiford, Trenchford & Kennick Reservoirs Circular Walk is superb. Sunny autumn days when the leaves turn are particularly impressive.

 

Canonteign Falls and Bovey Tracey and Becky Falls from Dunsford

Visit Canonteign Falls. Promoted as 'England's highest waterfall', there's a super circular walk up to 'Buzzards View', the high ground from which the water falls into the valley below. The views from here across the Teign Valley are superb. 

Experience Becky Falls Ancient Woodland Park. Located in the eastern section of Dartmoor National Park just off the road that rises from Bovey Tracey to the moorland village Manaton.

 

Haldon Forest Park from Dunsford

Haldon Forest Park has numerous tracks and pathways for bike riding, walking or running without the danger of traffic. You'll find a Go Ape and Go Segway there as well. There's plenty of parking, a cafe and toilets.

 

Driving the B3212 to Moretonhampstead and Dartmoor's high moor from Dunsford

The Miniature Pony Centre is one of the best family visitor attractions on Dartmoor.

Enjoy local food and drink at Warren House Inn. The highest pub in southern England, the Warren House Inn looks out across one of the most beautiful areas of moorland in Dartmoor National Park.

 

Stone Lane Gardens and Mythic Garden Sculpture Exhibition from Dunsford

Take a trip to Stone Lane Gardens and Mythic Garden Sculpture Exhibition. Special gardens and sculpture exhibition. One of our favourite places in Devon and Cornwall.

 

Dartmoor's prehistory from Dunsford

Spinster's Rock. 'Spinsters Rock [sic]. A Neolithic burial chamber erected around 3500-2500 B.C. This chamber probably contained many burials and would originally have been covered by a long earthen mound. The stones fell down in 1862 and were re-erected in the same year. Traditionally this monument was erected by three spinsters one morning before breakfast.'

Head to the north moor and Scorhill Stone Circle. One of Dartmoor's most popular prehistoric sites.

 

Driving the B3193/B3344 to Bovey Tracey and the Haytor Rocks area from Dunsford

Haytor Rocks is Dartmoor's most famous tor.

Hound Tor (East Dartmoor) is an impressive collection of rocky outcrops across the valley from Haytor Rocks and near the pretty village Widecombe-in-the-Moor.

 

Chagford from Dunsford

Drive the B3212 from Dunsford to Moretonhampstead and then follow the A382 up to Chagford.

Explore Chagford and continue to Fernworthy Forest and Fernworthy Reservoir.

 

Exeter and the Exe Estuary from Dunsford

The B3212 takes you to Exeter. Visit Exeter Cathedral and Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) are superb. Take a tour of the unique Exeter's Underground Passages.

Drop down to Exeter's Historic Quayside and cycle the Exe Estuary Trail.

 

South Devon and The English Riviera from Dunsford

Dunsford is a great location from which to explore South Devon and The English Riviera.

See one of our sister sites Love South Devon for ideas.

 

Driving the A30 to West Devon and Cornwall from Dunsford

Dunsford is situated by the A30. Head west to Bodmin Moor and the North Cornwall coast.

 

Local towns and villages near Dunsford

For villages, try Drewsteignton.

For towns, head to Moretonhampstead, Chagford and Bovey Tracey.