Things To Do near River Swincombe
Sextons Cottage and Church House (National Trust), Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 7 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'...
Dewerstone Fort/Neolithic Enclosure, Shaugh Prior, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 7 miles away)
In his superb 'The Field Archaeology of Dartmoor', Phil Newman writes: 'Two somewhat enigmatic sites that may offer evidence of a Neolithic presence, apart from burial monuments, are the stone tor enclosures at Dewerstone and Whittor.' Nemwan notes that 'a curving double stone wall enclos...
Hembury Woods Circular Walk, Buckfast, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 7 miles away)
Hembury Woods (National Trust) are situated near Ashburton and Buckfastleigh on the south eastern border of Dartmoor National Park. Managed by the National Trust, the woods are easily accessible and there are a number of beautiful circular walks to enjoy. The following route takes you to the top...
1638 Thunderstorm, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 7 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...
The Green, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 7 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...
Warren House Inn, Postbridge, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 7 miles away)
Highest pub in southern England Essential visiting. The highest pub in southern England, the Warren House Inn looks out across one of the most beautiful areas of moorland in Dartmoor National Park. Autumn is particularly stunning. Clearly, it's great walking country. There's also a wealth...
Widecombe St Pancras Church, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 7 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. 7 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...
Red Lake Railway (Dismantled)/Puffing Billy Track, Harford, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 7 miles away)
Red Lake Railway transported workers and equipment from Bittaford and the Ivybridge area to Red Lake China Clay Works. It carried back waste material to be used as fertiliser. Built between 1910 and 1912, the remaining trackbed is now a long but solid path that takes you into the heart of Dartmoo...
White Tor, Langstone Moor and Great Staple Tor Circular Walk, Peter Tavy, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 7 miles away)
Impressive walk to the west of the Park incorporating one of Dartmoor's most dramatic tors. Use the Ordnance Survey OL28 Dartmoor map to help plan your walk in tandem with our Google maps and photographs. Start at the car park on the edge of Smeardon Down to the east of Peter Tavy. Follow the...
The Rugglestone Inn, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 7 miles away)
Award-winning pub The Rugglestone Inn was voted one of the best UK country pubs in the BBC Countryfile Magazine Awards 2018. It's a great pub in a superb setting. Widecombe-in-the-Moor Situated on the edge of Widecombe in the Moor in the east section of Dartmoor, The Rugglestone I...
White Tor Fort/Neolithic Enclosure, Peter Tavy, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 7 miles away)
If you're interested in the history and prehistory of Dartmoor National Park, buy a copy of Phil Newman's 'The Field Archaeology of Dartmoor'. In chapter 2, which covers the 'Mesolithic to Early Bronze Age', there's a section on tor enclosures. Newman writes: 'Two somewhat enigmatic sites that ma...
East Webburn River, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 7 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...
The Dewerstone, Shaugh Prior, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 7 miles away)
The Dewerstone is a well-known beauty spot in the southern section of Dartmoor National Park. It's at the south west end of the Dewerstone Valley. The Dewerstone is known for its climbing routes. The vertical rock faces are marked the Dewerstone Crags on local information boards. The De...
The Dewerstone Carrington Inscription, Shaugh Prior, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 7 miles away)
Nicholas Thomas Carrington, or Nicholas Toms Carrington, was a poet. Born in Plymouth in 1777, he is known for two long poems called 'The Banks of the Tamar' and 'Dartmoor'. His name and the date of his death are cut into a rock at the top of Dewerstone Hill above the Dewerstone Crags. As you can se...