Belstone Church, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park

Belstone Church, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park

Many Dartmoor churches dominate their surroundings. Widecombe-in-the-Moor's 'Cathedral of the Moor' is the most obvious example. Moretonhampstead St Andrew's Church rises high above its moorland gateway town. Manaton St Winifred Church is visible from miles around. Belstone Church, however, is tucked away behind The Tors Inn. We've positioned Belstone Church on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.

Inside, near the south east corner of the church, is an ancient cross known as The Belstone Ring Cross. An information board within the church dates the cross to some time between the 7th and 9th centuries. Clearly, Christianity has been an important influence for over a millennium. When you visit, make sure you buy a copy of the church guide. According to the booklet, there's 'evidence in the building of its Norman origins, but the present small and solid granite building, built to withstand the Dartmoor winters, dates from the 14th or 15th century'. As is the case with many churches across the UK, the building was heavily restored in the Victorian era.