Things To Do near Bovey Valley Woodlands
Mardon Down Giant's Grave, Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 4 miles away)
According to Phil Newman in his excellent 'The Field Archaeology of Dartmoor', 'it was Dean Jeremiah Milles of Exeter, President of the Society of Antiquaries, who first undertook archaeological fieldwork on Dartmoor barrows in 1752 on Mardon Down (Grinsell 1978, 87), and the literature of the early...
Hameldown Tor, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 4 miles away)
Grimspound is an English Heritage site located in a dip between Hamel Down and Hookney Down towards the heart of Dartmoor National Park. Two tors stand guard over the prehistoric settlement. To the north west is Hookney Tor. To the south east is Hameldown Tor. The views from the cairn and trig point...
Blackslade Down, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 4 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...
House of Marbles and Teign Valley Glass, Bovey Tracey, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 4 miles away)
When we first popped into the House of Marbles and Teign Valley Glass to research the attraction, we ended up spending most of the day there. It's a cluster of visitor attractions under one roof. In parts, it's a fascinating place. If you're into shopping, history or the arts then we'd recommend a v...
Hennock St Mary's Church, Hennock, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 4 miles away)
Most of the church we see today dates from the middle of the 15th century. The tower dates from around 1250 and the stone building most probably replaced a Saxon church. The church is known for the paintings on its rood screen. Though restored during the twentieth century, these date back to the...
Mardon Down Cairn Circle, Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 4 miles away)
There are many heavily weathered cairns on Mardon Down. In addition, there's a particularly fine cairn circle.
Tunhill Rocks, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 4 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...
The Green, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 4 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...
The Uncle Tom Cobley Horse, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 4 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...
Widecombe St Pancras Church, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 4 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...
1638 Thunderstorm, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 4 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...
East Webburn River, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 4 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...
Grimspound (English Heritage), Postbridge, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 4 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...
Widecombe Fair, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 4 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. 4 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'...