Things To Do near The Staple Tors
Castle Drogo Estate, Chagford, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 15 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...
Bluebell Walks, Dartmoor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 15 miles away)
Best places to see bluebells on Dartmoor The below recommendations are all linked to Google maps but we'd suggest you refer to the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map for detail. If we had to choose a couple of places to see bluebells, we'd pick East Hill Bluebell Circular Walk up on...
Hisley Wood, Lustleigh, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 15 miles away)
The heavily wooded section of the Bovey Valley runs for about 4km, as the crow flies, from Foxworthy in the north west down to Drakeford Bridge in the south east. The upper section of the valley is dominated by the magnificent Lustleigh Cleave. The lower section is a collection of woods called Bovey...
Butterdon Down Standing Stone, Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 15 miles away)
There's what is thought to be a prehistoric standing stone on the western side of Butterdon Down where the Dartmoor Way Walking Route skirts the moorland. See our Butterdon Down listing for directions. Note that there are cairns topping the down. In addition, there are cairns, a stone circle a...
Hisley Bridge, Lustleigh, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 15 miles away)
Dartmoor is known for its rainfall and rivers which radiate from the National Park's high plateaus. To cross these rivers, there are bridges, clam bridges, clapper bridges, stepping stones and fords. The medieval packhorse bridge that arcs over the River Bovey in Hisley Wood is one of Dartmoor's mos...
Ullacombe Farm Shop, Haytor Vale, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 15 miles away)
Approx halfway up the Bovey Tracey to Haytor road keep an eye out for this excellent farm shop that stocks a wide range of local produce including meat, vegetables, cheeses, cakes, jams. The sizeable and inviting cafe, which includes an outdoor seating area, is run by very friendly and helpful staff...
Yarrow Mine/Devon Wheal Francis/Yarner Copper Mine, Bovey Tracey, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 15 miles away)
At Yarner Wood Reserve Base, painted on an angled wood panel, are depictions of the Yarner Wood area through history. One, particularly dark, is of a bleak landscape. In the foreground is a mine. It's hard to imagine when wandering around this wood today that there was once a thriving copp...
Ilsington St Michael's Church Lych Gate, Ilsington, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 15 miles away)
Just west of Ilsington St Michael's Church is Ilsington St Michael's Church Lych Gate. A local information board reads: 'The first building on this site that we know of was likely to have been of medieval origin, for in the year 1639 it was being used as a schoolroom for about 30 b...
Butterdon Down, Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 15 miles away)
Butterdon Down tends to be one of those places on Dartmoor that you pass through as opposed to being a destination in its own right. Located between Fingle Bridge and Moretonhampstead, the Dartmoor Way Walking Route runs around the western and southern fringes of this small island of moorland. Th...
Yarner Valley, Bovey Tracey, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 15 miles away)
Two streams arc through Yarner Wood and meet near Yarner Wood Base Reserve. To the north is Woodcock Stream. To the south is Yarner Stream. The valley cut by the latter is particularly impressive and we'd recommend visiting for its natural beauty, birdlife and historical features. We've positione...
Ilsington St Michael's Church, Ilsington, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 15 miles away)
Another Dartmoor church rebuilt in the 15th century, Ilsington St Michael's Church is thought to have been first constructed during the 11th century. Look out for the ruins of Ilsington Manor House in the north eastern corner of the churchyard. There's also an alarming story associated with&...
Ilsington Manor House (Ruins), Ilsington, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 15 miles away)
In the north eastern corner of Ilsington St Michael's Church are the remains of Ilsington Manor House. A Dartmoor National Park Authority information board tells the story of the manor house and provides floor plans and drawings. George Ford 'is thought to have rebuilt the house in...
Yarner Wood Templer Way Walk, Bovey Tracey, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 15 miles away)
Yarner Wood is part of the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve. The Templer Way is a long distance footpath running between Dartmoor and the South Devon coast following, as far as possible, the route of the old granite railway. This walk takes in some of the best sections of the wood and railway....
Yarner Wood Bird Hides, Bovey Tracey, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 15 miles away)
'The internationally important upland oak woodlands in this National Nature Reserve are one of the best places to see woodland birds of many kinds but especially the enigmatic pied flycatcher, secretive lesser spotted woodpecker and vocal wood warbler.' The Natural England information boards at the...
Yarner Wood Reserve Base/Natural England Office, Bovey Tracey, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 15 miles away)
The Yarner Wood Reserve Base/Natural England Office is situated next to the car park and main access point for Yarner Wood. Just across the car park from the office is a bird hide providing views over a large pond (the stew pond) frequented by birdlife. Leaflets providing information about Yarn...