Sourton, Dartmoor National Park

Sourton, Dartmoor National Park
  • Village through which the A386 runs on the north west border of Dartmoor below the National Park's highest and wildest ground. Sourton is a short distance from the Dartmoor gateway town Okehampton. The village is also close to the A30 which offers fast access to Cornwall
  • Enjoy a drink in The Highwayman Inn which is said to be Britain's most unusual pub
  • Wander past Sourton St Thomas a Becket Church to the high moor. Take in the huge views from Sourton Tors. This is one of the best places to watch the sun set in Dartmoor National Park. Continue to Great Links Tor
  • Cycle the Granite Way south to Lydford and Lydford Castle (English Heritage) and Lydford Gorge (National Trust). Cycle in the opposite direction to the stunning Meldon Reservoir, Meldon Viaduct and then Okehampton
  • Explore Okehampton. Visit Okehampton Castle (English Heritage) and the Museum of Dartmoor Life. Head up to the Okehampton Camp area and walk the highest ground on Dartmoor at High Willhays and Yes Tor
  • Drive the A30 to Bodmin Moor or the beaches that line the North Cornwall coast. Take the A386 south to Tavistock and then either continue to Plymouth or follow the B3357 and B3212 to Princetown, Two Bridges, Postbridge and the heart of Dartmoor National Park
  • Main photo: Meldon Reservoir near Sourton

 

Where is Sourton in Dartmoor National Park?

Village on the north west border of Dartmoor below the National Park's highest and wildest ground. Sourton is located by the A386 a short distance from the Dartmoor gateway town Okehampton. The village is also close to the A30 which offers fast access to Cornwall.

 

Directions to Sourton

Drive the A386 on the western side of Dartmoor. Sourton is close to where the A386 passes under the A30 by Okehampton.

The village straddles the A386.

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

 

Parking in Sourton

There's limited parking opposite Sourton Village Hall between The Highwayman Inn and Sourton St Thomas a Becket Church.

 

Why holiday or weekend break in Sourton?

To help you choose the Sourton area, we’ve listed some of the local attractions below.

 

The Highwayman Inn at Sourton

The Highwayman Inn bills itself as Britain's most unusual inn. The eccentric interior is packed with artefacts and curiosities. The Highwayman Inn is highly recommended if you're looking for something (very) different.

 

The OXO Stone at Sourton

Pop across the road from the pub to see the OXO Stone. A commemorative plaque reads: 'THIS CHRISTIAN STONE DATES TO ABOUT THE 10TH CENTURY AD. FOUND AT EAST LINNACOMBE IT WAS REPAIRED AND ERECTED HERE BY THE DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK AUTHORITY 1985.'

 

The Granite Way by Sourton

Cycle the Granite Way from Sourton. There's access by Sourton St Thomas a Becket Church.

The Granite Way is an 11 miles or 18 kilometres multi-use recreation route running between Okehampton and Lydford on the north west fringe of Dartmoor National Park. The Granite Way was fully opened at the beginning of 2014. The entire route is now off-road so it's ideal for family bike trips in the area.

 

Sourton Tors overlooking Sourton

Sourton Tors are a collection of rocky outcrops that rise on steps of moorland above the village.

The number of outcrops and the fact that they are dispersed across steps of moorland make the tors particularly impressive. What makes them essential visiting is the huge view west over the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty into Cornwall. The location is magnificent at sunset.

 

Other Dartmoor tors near Sourton

Great Links Tor is one of the most dramatic and impressive tors on Dartmoor. It dominates the western flank of the National Park and is visible from miles around. Essential Dartmoor visiting, the views from Great Links Tor are exceptional.

 

Walks near Sourton

Sourton sits below the highest ground in Dartmoor National Park. Make the most of the location.

High Willhays and Yes Tor are the highest points on Dartmoor and the only two mountains in southern England. Try the Dartmoor's Highest Points Circular Walk (High Willhays/Yes Tor).

 

Meldon Reservoir near Sourton

Meldon Reservoir, or Meldon, is a local Dartmoor beauty spot in the north west section of the National Park. The reservoir sits below Yes Tor and High Willhays which are the only two mountains in southern England.

A vast dam wall rises from the floor of the West Okement Valley. The reservoir sits behind this dam wall and extends to the foot of the Upper West Okement Valley. The West Okement River flows north from the dam wall into the Lower West Okement Valley in which you'll see the much photographed Meldon Viaduct. The setting is glorious. Whilst huge numbers of people specifically visit Meldon Reservoir for views, picnics and walks, it's also one of the best starting points from which to explore the highest ground in Dartmoor National Park.

 

Meldon Viaduct near Sourton

High above the West Okement River, spanning the West Okement Valley, is Meldon Viaduct. Part of the Granite Way, there are superb views of the wooded valley below and the high moors to the east and south east. Meldon Reservoir is to the south.

 

The Upper West Okement Valley near Sourton

The West Okement is a river that rises on Dartmoor's north plateau by the National Park's famous Cranmere Pool. From this river head, the water flows swift and clear around the north slope of Great Kneeset to Kneeset Foot. This remote and boggy area is at the top of a stunning, steep-sided valley to which we refer as the Upper West Okement Valley.

The valley runs between Lints Tor and the southern end of Meldon Reservoir. At the other end of the reservoir, in the shadow of a huge dam wall, is the beginning of what we call the Lower West Okement Valley which continues north and north east to English Heritage's Okehampton Castle (English Heritage) and the Dartmoor gateway town Okehampton. The Upper West Okement Valley is packed with points of interest from a National Nature Reserve to many rocky tors, waterways to historical sites. The views, especially from Lints Tor and Black Tor, are magnificent. Walking in and around the valley is a joy.

 

Black-a-Tor Copse National Nature Reserve near Sourton

National Nature Reserve on a bank of the West Okement River as it flows into Meldon Reservoir in the north west of Dartmoor National Park. The Reserve was featured in the BBC’s 2010 programme 'Secret Britain’ and is home to rare, high altitude oak woodland.

There’s an information board on the edge of the forest that reads: 'This is one the best examples in Britain of high altitude oak woodland. It is nationally important for the great variety of lichens and mosses that clothe the trees and rocks. The high humidity, mild winters and low levels of air pollution on Dartmoor provide perfect conditions for mosses and lichens. Some of the species found here are threatened with extinction in Europe, primarily because of air pollution.’

 

Okehampton near Sourton

Okehampton is a gateway town to Dartmoor's north moor.

In town, visit the many tourist attractions in the Okehampton area including Okehampton Castle (English Heritage) and the Museum of Dartmoor Life.

Now head up to Okehampton Camp to explore the north moor.

 

Lydford near Sourton

Visit this amazing village on the western border of the National Park sat below the wild, western flank of Dartmoor. Discover Lydford Gorge (National Trust) and Lydford Castle (English Heritage).

Cycle to Lydford on the Granite Way.

 

Exploring the Tamar Valley area of Outstanding Natural Beauty from Sourton

The Tamar Valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) that borders the west side of Dartmoor National Park. The AONB is located on either side of the River Tamar where Devon meets Cornwall. Stunning landscape. One of the most under-visited areas of beauty in the UK. Away from the crowds and highly recommended.

 

Exploring Cornwall from Sourton

Drive the A30 into Cornwall. Walk Bodmin Moor and visit the many beaches that line the North Cornwall coast.

 

Day trips to the beach from Sourton

Crackington Haven Beach in North Cornwall. Deep low tide sand beach below huge cliffs. Great coastal walking although it gets steep. Beach backs on to a pub, cafe and car park. Roughly 45 minutes from Sourton.

Widemouth Sand Beach in North Cornwall. Big stretch of sand popular with surfers. Roughly 50 minutes from Sourton.

Bude Summerleaze Beach in North Cornwall. The southern section of a massive low tide sand beach at Bude. Roughly 50 minutes from Sourton.

Northcott Mouth Beach in North Cornwall. The middle section of a massive low tide sand beach at Bude. Roughly 50 minutes from Sourton.

Sandy Mouth Beach in North Cornwall. The northern section (along with Duckpool Bay Beach) of a massive low tide sand beach at Bude. Under an hour from Sourton.

Saunton Sands Beach in North Devon. Vast low tide sand beach backing onto the stunning Braunton Burrows. Saunton Sands is super popular with surfers as is Croyde Beach just up the coast. Over an hour from Sourton.

Putsborough Sands Beach and Woolacombe Sands Beach in North Devon. Stunning sections of the same stretch of sand in North Devon. Putsborough to the south and Woolacombe to the north. Over an hour from Sourton.

Rock Beach and the Camel Estuary in North Cornwall. Glorious beaches line the Camel Estuary over an hour away from Sourton.

Constantine Bay Beach in North Cornwall. Massive low tide sand beach about 1 hour 15 minutes from Sourton.

St Ives Bay in West Cornwall. Beaches line one of the most beautiful bays in the UK. About 1 hour 30 mins from Sourton.

We travel to all these beaches on a regular basis for Picture the UK and the twenty site network we run for Devon/Cornwall. Please note that timings depend on traffic. For example, it can take hours to get down to St Ives if there's been an accident on the A30.

 

Other towns and villages near Sourton

For villages, try Lydford and Belstone.

For towns, head for Okehampton and Tavistock.