Things To Do near Vale Down
Yarner Wood, Bovey Tracey, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 17 miles away)
'Yarner Wood was purchased in 1952 by the Nature Conservancy and became England's first National Nature Reserve.'* Today, it's part of the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve that incorporates nearby Trendlebere Down and parts of the Bovey Valley. It's a superb place. There are nature trails, bird...
River Bovey, Dartmoor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 17 miles away)
The Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map has the East Bovey Head near Birch Tor, Hookney Tor and English Heritage's Grimspound. The Harvey British Mountain Map 'Dartmoor' map has the Boveycombe Head below Water Hill by the Warren House Inn. Both potential headwaters are near the B3212 trans-...
River Bovey Lustleigh Cleave Circular Walk, Manaton, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 17 miles away)
The River Bovey and beautiful ancient woodland The River Bovey cuts a beautiful, steep-sided valley between the pretty village North Bovey and the Dartmoor gateway town Bovey Tracey. This walk takes you alongside the river and into the lower section of Lustleigh Cleave. It's a gentle river and...
Piles Valley, Harford, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 17 miles away)
Home to one of Dartmoor's rare high altitude oak woodlands, Piles Valley is cut by the River Erme as it flows from Dartmoor's south moor down to the South Devon coast. Marked on the Harvey British Mountain Map 'Dartmoor' map, Piles Valley is a stunning place. High above to the west is Stalldown Barr...
Avon Dam Reservoir Circular Walk, South Brent, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 17 miles away)
This circular walk takes in a beautiful river valley, one of Dartmoor's most stunning reservoir settings and high moorland. It also includes a short stretch of the Abbot's Way as marked on Ordnance Survey maps. Highly recommended if you want to explore the south eastern corner of Dartmoor Natio...
Avon Dam Reservoir Valley, South Brent, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 17 miles away)
The River Avon rises on remote moorland and flows into the Avon Dam Reservoir. From there, beyond the dam wall, it cuts a stunning valley as it meanders down to the car parking area at Shipley Bridge. The stretch of valley between the dam and Shipley Bridge is exceptionally popular with wa...
Yarner Valley, Bovey Tracey, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 17 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...
Yarner Wood Reserve Base/Natural England Office, Bovey Tracey, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 17 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...
Yarner Wood Bird Hides, Bovey Tracey, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 17 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...
Hembury Hillfort, Buckfast, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 17 miles away)
Hembury Hillfort is located at the top of the National Trust's Hembury Woods near Ashburton and Buckfastleigh. A National Trust information board by the northern entrance to Hembury Hillfort states that 'Hembury Castle was built in two phases, an Iron Age hillfort followed by the construction of...
Yarrow Mine/Devon Wheal Francis/Yarner Copper Mine, Bovey Tracey, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 17 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...
Rider's Rings, South Brent, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 17 miles away)
Rider's Rings, or Ryder's Rings, is an ancient settlement on high moorland situated on the western lip of the Avon Dam Reservoir Valley. We've positioned Rider's Rings on Google maps. Zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location. To visit, head for the car parking area at Shipley Bridge...
Harford Moor, Harford, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 17 miles away)
Harford is a small village on the edge of Dartmoor's south moor. Harford Bridge spans the River Erme. The moorland east of the River Erme is called Harford Moor and is marked on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map by Piles Copse. We've positioned Harford Moor on Google maps so zoom i...
Yarner Wood Templer Way Walk, Bovey Tracey, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 17 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....
Ullacombe Farm Shop, Haytor Vale, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 17 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...