Things To Do near Heltor Rock
Gidleigh Holy Trinity Church, Gidleigh, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 8 miles away)
The north and eastern fringes of Dartmoor's north moor are lined with villages and hamlets and their churches. Moving clockwise, the towers of Belstone, South Tawton, Throwleigh and then Gidleigh churches rise against the backdrop of high moorland. Gidleigh Holy Trinity Church is...
Challacombe Medieval Hamlet, Postbridge, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 8 miles away)
Dartmoor's most famous deserted medieval settlement sits below Hound Tor towards the eastern side of the National Park. An English Heritage site, it attracts plenty of visitors and bus loads of school kids learning about Dartmoor's past. Clearly, it's not the only deserted medieval settlement on Dar...
Gidleigh Castle (Landmark Only), Gidleigh, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 8 miles away)
An information leaflet from the church next door to the castle reads: 'Gidleigh Castle dates from about 1324 and was built over an earlier castle by William le Prouz, a powerful knight and overlord in the district. It was never a true castle in the military sense, but rather a fortified manor hou...
The Green, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 8 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. 8 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...
The Uncle Tom Cobley Horse, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 8 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...
1638 Thunderstorm, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 8 miles away)
Inside Widecombe St Pancras Church, at the base of the tower, are four wallboards telling the story of the 1638 Thunderstorm. The following transcription was taken from photos. 'It is of the Lords mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. Lam.III.2.2. The merciful a...
Challacombe Down, Postbridge, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 8 miles away)
If you go for a drink or bite to eat at The Warren House Inn on a clear day at the end of Autumn, you'll enjoy one of the best moorland views in Dartmoor National Park. Giant waves of rusty moorland roll east. The huge bulk of Hamel Down shapes the horizon. Challacombe Down hunkers down below. In ad...
Widecombe Fair, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 8 miles away)
Whilst not the biggest, Widecombe hosts arguably the most famous of Dartmoor's many fairs and shows. It takes place on the second Tuesday of September so in 2016 Widecombe Fair is on Tuesday 13th September. The fair is synonymous with the Devon folk song Widecombe Fair which is celebrated in sign...
Sextons Cottage and Church House (National Trust), Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 8 miles away)
A sexton maintained church buildings and the graveyard. The sexton's cottage was his home. The 'church house was the medieval equivalent of the church hall. Its chief purpose was to house the festivals and church ales which raised funds for many an English parish church until the rise of Puritanism'...
Middle Tor, Chagford, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 8 miles away)
Middle Tor is one of three rocky outcrops running along the edge of the northern section of Chagford Common. Unsurprisingly, Middle Tor's the middle outcrop. Great spot for an evening picnic as the sun arcs west and lights the beautiful countryside around Chagford, Meldon Hill and the mouth of the T...
Blackslade Down, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 8 miles away)
According to the Dartmoor expert William Crossing, it was on Blackslade Down 'that the wicked Jan Reynolds once entered into a compact with a stranger, who turned out to be the Prince of Darkness, and failing to keep it became his victim. Seven years after the meeting Jan was discovered indulgin...
East Webburn River, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 8 miles away)
The East Webburn River rises near Hameldown Tor and English Heritage's Grimspound on the vast back of Hamel Down. The headwaters are close to Hamel Down Cross and Broad Barrow. From its source, the river cuts deep into moorland and tumbles past Berry Pound before arcing through Natsworthy. It flo...
Bennett's Cross, Postbridge, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 8 miles away)
Bennett's Cross is one of Dartmoor's most famous and easily accessible stone crosses. Recommended route to Bennett's Cross for the first time Located by the side of the B3212 near the Warren House Inn, there are a number of parking areas along the road from which one can walk to the...
The Old Inn, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 8 miles away)
Dartmoor's most famous village Widecombe-in-the-Moor is Dartmoor's most famous village. Easily accessible and located below some of the most beautiful moorland in the National Park, the area is packed with things to do and places to visit. Build your day around a pub lunch or cream tea in The Old...