Okehampton Castle (English Heritage), Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park

Okehampton Castle (English Heritage), Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park

Family attraction

Okehampton Castle is an English Heritage property located on the north west border of Dartmoor National Park. The castle is situated near the only two mountains in southern England.

To visit, head for Okehampton. Once you are in the town, the castle is well signposted. We've positioned Okehampton Castle on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location. There's a small car park just down the road from the ticket office, shop and castle. You follow the Barbican passage as it rises towards the main gatehouse. In the bailey, you'll explore a cluster of ruined buildings including the Great Hall, kitchen and chapel. There are high quality information boards on site. The castle keep towers above you on a steep motte. Steps lead up to the keep from which there are fine views of the castle, Okehampton and the river valley.

Once you've finished exploring the castle, walk around the woods and Old Town Park.

If castles are of interest, also visit English Heritage's Lydford Castle. In the same village, you'll find the remains of a Norman fort. West of Okehampton is Launceston Castle by the Devon/Cornwall border. For a big adventure, walk the Two Castle Trail between Okehampton Castle and Launceston Castle. East of Okehampton is the National Trust's Castle Drogo.

In Okehampton, we'd recommend spending half a day in the Museum of Dartmoor Life. There's a section on the castle.