Things To Do near Vale Down

Whitehorse Hill Cist, Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 6 miles away)

Whitehorse Hill is a remote, shallow-domed hill on Dartmoor National Park's north plateau. A cist is a prehistoric burial chest made from slabs of granite. In 1999, a cist was discovered on Whitehorse Hill. In 2011, this burial chest was excavated. It was the first excavation of a prehistoric burial...

Whitehorse Hill, Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 6 miles away)

High on Dartmoor's north plateau are a number of shallow domed hills. Unlike Yes Tor or Fur Tor, these hills are understated. They lack dramatic rocky outcrops and steep sides. However, many have distinctive features that tell fascinating stories about moorland life through history and prehisto...

Oke Tor, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 6 miles away)

The pretty village Belstone is located on the edge of Dartmoor's north moor. It sits below Taw Plain which is surrounded by a natural amphitheatre of moorland that's lined with amazing tors. Oke Tor is one of the best. Oke Tor is great for circular walks, top views across Dartmoor's north mo...

Steeperton Gorge, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 6 miles away)

By Dartmoor standards, this is a small gorge. Unlike the Dart Gorge, Teign Gorge or Lydford Gorge which have been cut by wide, powerful waterways, Steeperton Gorge is situated pretty far upstream on Dartmoor's north plateau. The River Taw rises on the high, boggy ground around Hangingstone Hill and...

Whitehorse Hill Peat Passes and Memorials, Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 6 miles away)

Dartmoor's north plateau consists of rough cut moorland that can be difficult to cross. Peat passes help. There are a number around Whitehorse Hill. If you are walking to Whitehorse Hill from nearby Hangingstone Hill, it's likely you'll follow the peat pass on the eastern flank of the hill. By fo...

Steeperton Tor, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 6 miles away)

Some Dartmoor tors, like Hound Tor and Great Staple Tor, attract huge numbers of visitors owing to their extraordinary granite structures. Vast rocky outcrops, these tors are well known, and much photographed, shapes in the landscape. Other equally impressive tors lack the outcrops but occupy sublim...

Okehampton Castle (English Heritage), Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 6 miles away)

Family attraction Okehampton Castle is an English Heritage property located on the north west border of Dartmoor National Park. The castle is situated near the only two mountains in southern England. To visit, head for Okehampton. Once you are in the town, the castle is well signposted. We've...

Best Dartmoor Summer Things To Do, Dartmoor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 6 miles away)

Shows and fairs Shows and fairs run in Dartmoor National Park in spring and summer. There are lots to visit. Three of the best are Okehampton Show (large), Chagford Show (medium size) and Widecombe Fair (a smaller village fair). Okehampton Show. This large agricultural show takes place on the...

River Walkham, Dartmoor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 6 miles away)

[Main photo: the River Walkham at Ward Bridge in the Walkham Valley]   From high moor to the western border of Dartmoor National Park The River Walkham flows from remote, tussocky and boggy moorland on Dartmoor’s north moor through a heavily wooded valley to the western border of Dar...

Kit Steps, Postbridge, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 6 miles away)

It's easy to cross the East Dart River after a long period of dry weather. After heavy rain, the river becomes a formidable barrier. If water levels are high, as a rule of thumb, it's best to head upriver to find a safe crossing place. In these conditions, Kit Steps is a potential candidate. A set o...

Fitz Well and Cross, Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 6 miles away)

Just west of the moorland road that climbs from Okehampton to Okehampton Camp are Fitz Well and Cross. Unless you're specifically looking for the cross, it's likely that you'd miss it. Zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting of the accompanying Google map to see its location. In his work 'The Ancient...

Cullever Steps, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 6 miles away)

The highest ground in southern England rises in Dartmoor National Park. It rains. As a consequence, many of South West England's most famous rivers have their headwaters on this high ground and then flow down to the coast. Clearly, these rivers need to be crossed. Whilst Dartmoor's striking...

Winter Tor, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 6 miles away)

Winter Tor is one of the high number of rocky outcrops on the broad ridge extending south of Watchet Hill by Belstone. On the western flank of the ridge, Winter Tor is less visited than Belstone Tors, Higher Tor and Oke Tor. Henry's Ford and East Okement Farm are below. We've positioned Winter To...

Cullever Steps Pool, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 6 miles away)

Cullever Steps Pool is a small wild swimming pool on the East Okement River. It's just downstream of a river crossing point called Cullever Steps after which the pool is named. We've positioned Cullever Steps Pool on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location. To visit,...

Okehampton Old Town Park Local Nature Reserve, Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 6 miles away)

If you're visiting English Heritage's Okehampton Castle then we'd recommend a walk in Okehampton Old Town Park Local Nature Reserve afterwards. There's access via the car park by the castle. Salmon can be seen in the West Okement River.  Note that the Two Castles Trail and the West Devon Way...