Things To Do near Wray Valley
Hameldown Beacon, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)
The Oxford English Dictionary defines a beacon as 'a fire or light set up in a high or prominent position as a warning, signal, or celebration’. There is a chain of beacons on Dartmoor running from the edge of the north moor down to the edge of the south moor. Hameldown Beacon is, roughly spe...
Single Barrow, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)
The Dartmoor expert William Crossing writes 'this tumulus was opened in 1873 by the late Mr. C. Spence Bate, and was found to consist of earth with the exception of a low hedge of stones which encircled it, and a low cairn in the centre. About six feet from the latter a small heap of burnt human...
Two Barrows, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)
There's a display cabinet in Postbridge National Park Visitor Centre which contains a replica of the Hameldon Dagger or Hamel Down Dagger. The display reads: 'Hameldon dagger. In 1872 the original dagger was found with a burial of burnt human bones in a cairn or barrow at Hameldon. It cons...
Week Down, Chagford, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)
Two hills rise above the popular Dartmoor gateway town Chagford. At 390 metres above sea level, Meldon Hill is the bigger. Nattadon Hill, whilst smaller, is topped with a fort. East of these hills is Week Down. The views from Week Down are superb. It's also where you'll see Week Down Cross. We've...
Tunhill Rocks, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)
Tunhill Rocks is the most dramatic tor on Blackslade Down. A jumble of giant, rocky outcrops located on moorland that drops down reasonably steeply to farmland and hamlets south of Widecombe-in-the-Moor, Tunhill Rocks is just south west of Pil Tor. The prehistoric barrow Wittaburrow is a short strol...
Prestonbury Castle Hillfort, Drewsteignton, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)
There are four 'castles' in the Teign Gorge/Fingle Woods area of Dartmoor National Park. The National Trust's Castle Drogo guards the mouth of the gorge. South of the River Teign, overlooking Drogo, is the Iron Age hillfort Cranbrook Castle. Downstream, towering above the Dartmoor beauty spot Fingle...
Castle Drogo Estate, Chagford, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)
The National Trust's Castle Drogo is a superb place. The estate in which it sits is even more impressive. The estate makes Castle Drogo one of the finest visitor attractions in the Westcountry. Stunning walks, views, wild swimming, wildlife and a great pub in a Dartmoor beauty spot make for great da...
Grimspound (English Heritage), Postbridge, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)
There are a number of amazing facts about the prehistory of Dartmoor National Park.* It has the greatest concentration of Bronze Age sites in Britain. It's home to the longest stone row in the world. It has 60% of England's stone rows. It's home to more than 5000 hut circles or ancient homes. Despit...
Fingle Bridge Inn, Drewsteignton, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)
Fingle Bridge beauty spot Fingle Bridge is one of Dartmoor National Park's most popular beauty spots. The bridge spans the River Teign at the eastern end of the sublime Teign Gorge (National Trust). Fingle Bridge Inn sits on the north bank of the river overlooking bridge and water. Heavily wooded...
Shapley Tor, Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)
Some Dartmoor tors are big and dramatic stacks of granite that command the surrounding landscape. Others are small and rather unassuming. Shapley Tor is among the latter. A scatter of granite towards the top of Shapley Common, it's one of those tors you tend to pass through on your way to another...
Fingle Bridge, Drewsteignton, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)
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 th...
Stover Country Park The Ted Hughes Poetry Trail, Bovey Tracey, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)
This superb poetry trail runs, roughly speaking, around the lake in Stover Country Park Local Nature Reserve. Nature poems by the Poet Laureate Ted Hughes are displayed on posts. Interspersed between the posts are other displays providing information on local birdlife, wildlife and history. On a sun...
The Uncle Tom Cobley Horse, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)
When visiting Widecombe St Pancras Church, look out for The Uncle Tom Cobley Horse. Inspired by the Devon folk song Widecombe Fair, 'in the late 1950's a retired sailor from Drewsteignton made a mechanical model of Uncle Tom Cobley and the Grey Mare. The automation was exhibited at Widecombe Fair...
The Green, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)
The Green is the focal point of Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Surrounded by shops, cafes, pub, church and its associated buildings, the village green is a great place to relax after a wander. A local information board provides a historical perspective. 'The Village Green was once known as 'butte pa...
Widecombe St Pancras Church, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)
The 'Cathedral of the Moor'. In East Dartmoor, and dominating the popular moorland village of Widecombe in the Moor, Widecombe St Pancras Church dates from the 1300s. Wallboards within the church tell a story of a fire-ball passing through the church and killing four people as a result of a light...