Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park

Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park
  • Iconic Dartmoor village in the super popular eastern section of the National Park
  • Enjoy pub lunches and cream teas. Try The Old Inn in the centre of the village or the award-winning The Rugglestone Inn nearby
  • Visit Widecombe-in-the-Moor's famous church
  • Head up onto the moor for amazing views of the village and Dartmoor National Park. Hound Tor and Haytor Rocks are two of Dartmoor's most famous tors and are nearby. The vast Hamel Down provides awesome views west across the National Park
  • Go horse riding
  • Main photo: view down to Widecombe-in-the-Moor from the B3387 that cuts across the Bonehill Down/Blackslade Down area

 

Where is Widecombe-in-the-Moor in Dartmoor National Park?

Widecombe-in-the-Moor is located in the eastern section of Dartmoor National Park.

The B3387 climbs from Bovey Tracey on the eastern border of Dartmoor National Park to the super popular Haytor Rocks area. The road crosses a stretch of moorland and then drops down to Widecombe-in-the-Moor.

The village sits in a valley cut by the East Webburn River below the bulk of Hamel Down to the north west and a long ridge of tors (Honeybag Tor, Chinkwell Tor, Bell Tor, Bonehill Rocks, Top Tor and Pil Tor) to the east.

 

Directions to Widecombe-in-the-Moor

The A38 skirts the eastern border of Dartmoor National Park between Exeter and Plymouth. Take the Bovey Tracey exit and follow the A382 to this Dartmoor gateway town. At the second mini roundabout, drive the B3387 past Parke Estate (National Trust). The road forks. Take the left fork and continue on the B3387 to The Edgemoor Hotel, Yarner Wood and then Haytor Vale. You'll see the distinctive Haytor Rocks rising in front of you. The road arcs around Saddle Tor and then crosses open moorland. Note that Hound Tor, one of the National Park's most famous rocky outcrops, is just north of the road here. The B3387 then drops down to Widecombe-in-the-Moor.

There are several parking areas by the road above the village. Stop to take in the view as it's a Dartmoor classic.

The eastern section of Dartmoor is crossed by many skinny moorland roads. You can approach Widecombe-in-the-Moor on one of these from all directions.

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

 

Parking at Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Widecombe-in-the-Moor is very popular. There are several car parks in the village. One is between the Wayside Cafe and the Cafe on the Green. There's another on the north west side of the village green by Widecombe Kiosk.

 

Why holiday or weekend break in Widecombe-in-the-Moor?

To help you choose Widecombe-in-the-Moor, we've listed some of the local attractions below.

 

Widecombe-in-the-Moor village green

Widecombe-in-the-Moor is Dartmoor's best-known village. The setting is stunning. Widecombe-in-the-Moor's church, the 'Cathedral of the Moor', towers over the village green which is fringed with a pub, shops, tea rooms and a National Trust property. Great place from which to watch the world go by.

 

Pubs and tea rooms in and around Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Enjoy lunch or a cream tea in one of the pubs or cafes in the village and local area.

For pubs, try The Old Inn and nearby The Rugglestone Inn.

For cafes and tea rooms, try the Wayside Cafe and the Cafe on the Green.

If you fancy an ice cream on the village green, head for Widecombe Kiosk.

 

National Trust properties in and around Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Pop into the National Trust's Sextons Cottage and Church House (National Trust).

Other National Trust properties in and around Widecombe-in-the-Moor include Parke Estate (National Trust).

Castle Drogo (National Trust), Finch Foundry (National Trust), Lydford Gorge (National Trust), Hembury Woods (National Trust) and The Dewerstone are all a little further away but still very easily accessible by car. Dartmoor's a small place.

Just outside, try Saltram House and Buckland Abbey (National Trust).

 

The 'Cathedral of the Moor' in Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Visit Widecombe St Pancras Church.

Read about the 1638 Thunderstorm and meet The Uncle Tom Cobley Horse.

 

Walks from and near Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Widecombe-in-the-Moor is surrounded by high moor and tors. The Two Moors Way on Dartmoor passes through the village.

Explore Hamel Down. Refer to the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map and you'll see plenty of paths leading up onto Hamel Down from Widecombe-in-the-Moor. A section of the Two Moors Way runs along the down. The views are superb and massive. Much recommended.

Walk up to Bonehell Rocks and then follow the broad ridge to Chinkwell Tor and Honeybag Tor. See the Honeybag, Chinkwell & Bell Tors Circular Walk.

Both Hound Tor (East Dartmoor) and Haytor Rocks are nearby. Try the Haytor Rocks to Hound Tor Circular Walk.

We'd also recommend walking to The Ten Commandments Stones.

 

Other outdoor activities near Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Enjoy some Dartmoor outdoor activities.

Climb or boulder the granite of Bonehill Rocks or Hound Tor (East Dartmoor).

Go horse riding from Shilstone Rocks Horse Riding.

 

Tors near Widecombe-in-the-Moor

 Chinkwell Tor and Honeybag Tor are superb and overlook Widecombe-in-the-Moor. They also provide top views of the eastern section of Dartmoor.

Hound Tor (East Dartmoor) and Haytor Rocks are the two most well-known tors on Dartmoor. Both are close to Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Visit the Haytor National Park Visitor Centre to learn more about the area.

Rippon Tor is high and superb.

We'd also suggest you experience the views from The Ten Commandments Stones.

Hameldown Tor sits at the northern end of Hamel Down above Grimspound (English Heritage). Immense views of Dartmoor's north moor, central bowl and south moor. It's worth the yomp.

 

Views of Widecombe-in-the-Moor

The B3387 drops down to Widecombe-in-the-Moor. There are several parking areas by the road above the village. Stop to take in the view as it's a Dartmoor classic.

The views from Chinkwell Tor and Honeybag Tor back down to Widecombe-in-the-Moor are great.

We also love the view from the Two Moors Way west of Widecombe-in-the-Moor looking back down on the village. Head for Dunstone Down.

 

Dartmoor's prehistory and history near Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Discover the area's prehistory. English Heritage's Grimspound (English Heritage) is one of Dartmoor's most important prehistoric sites.

For more recent history, discover Hound Tor Abandoned Medieval Settlement (English Heritage).

 

Visiting Becky Falls from Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Visit Becky Falls Ancient Woodland Park which is just down the road from Manaton.

Other family attractions in the area include Canonteign Falls, the House of Marbles and Teign Valley Glass and The Miniature Pony Centre.

 

Exploring Dartmeet and the Dart Gorge from Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Head down to Dartmeet and the Dart Gorge which is one of the most beautiful places in Dartmoor National Park.

 

The heart of Datmoor from Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Push on to the heart of Dartmoor National Park at Postbridge and Princetown. See Postbridge Clapper Bridge. Spend time in both Postbridge National Park Visitor Centre and Princetown National Park Visitor Centre.

Wander up to Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve from Two Bridges.

Mountain bike the Granite and Gears Princetown Railway Cycling Routes from Princetown.

 

South Devon from Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Drop down from the moors to explore South Devon.

On a sunny day, The English Riviera is superb. Take a ferry from Torquay to Brixham. Visit Kent's Cavern, Torre Abbey and Living Coasts.

South of The English Riviera, both Dartmouth and Salcombe are sublime.

Top shingle beaches include Blackpool Sands and Slapton Sands. Sand beaches include Bantham Beach and Bigbury-on-Sea Beach.

 

Local towns and villages near Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Buckland-in-the-Moor is another must-see village and Postbridge's to the north west.