Things To Do near Buckfastleigh

Wittaburrow, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)

In his excellent 'The Field Archaeology of Dartmoor', Phil Newman notes that 'the term 'barrow' may be defined as a mound of earth or stone, usually covering one or more inhumations or cremations. On Dartmoor, where the majority of these monuments are constructed mostly from ston...

Sharp Tor (Dartmeet/East Dartmoor) Circular Walk, Dartmeet, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)

This is a short walk but it takes you to one of Dartmoor's classic viewpoints. From the outcrops at the southern end of Sharp Tor, you look down the Dart Gorge to the South Devon coast area beyond. It's a super place for a picnic. Note that in the morning the light comes up the gorge so if you want...

Ryder's Hill and Huntingdon Warren Circular Walk, Dartmeet, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)

This walk is one for the Dartmoor enthusiast. It crosses remote, boggy moorland on Dartmoor's south moor with Avon Head Mires, Fishlake Mire and Ryder's Mire in the shallow valley to the west. It takes in the highest point on the south moor and the wonderfully named barrow Heap of Sinners. We'd reco...

Buckfast to Tavistock Monastic Route, Dartmoor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)

This is a superb long distance walk between Buckfast Abbey on the east border of Dartmoor National Park and Tavistock Abbey on the west. Monks once followed routes across the moors to visit the local abbeys and priory which is why it's called the Buckfast to Tavistock Monastic Route. The Buc...

Ryder's Hill, Dartmeet, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)

Dartmoor National Park consists of two high moorland plateaus separated by a central dip and fringed by stunning wooded valleys. High Willhays is the highest point on the north plateau. Ryder's Hill is the highest point on the south plateau. Ryder's Hill is a shallow dome of moorland near the sou...

Rippon Tor, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)

People visiting the eastern section of Dartmoor National Park tend to head up to Haytor Rocks to enjoy the views of both the National Park and South Devon. Arguably the most extraordinary views in this section of Dartmoor are from the top of nearby Rippon Tor. At 473m above sea lev...

Combestone Tor, Dartmeet, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)

South of Dartmeet and offering great views, particularly to the east across the Dart Gorge and Dart Valley Nature Reserve. Combestone Tor is by a parking area just off the road that climbs the east moors from Ashburton past Venford Reservoir into the Heart of Dartmoor. To the south is Holne Mo...

Blackslade Down, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 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...

Huntingdon Clapper Bridge, South Brent, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)

The River Avon (or Aune) flows from boggy ground close to the highest point on Dartmoor's south plateau down towards Huntingdon Warren before arcing through a steep moorland valley on its way to Avon Dam Reservoir. Huntingdon Clapper Bridge spans the river in this steep moorland valley. We've positi...

Tunhill Rocks, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 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...

Dart Gorge Dartmeet to Luckey Tor North Bank Walk, Dartmeet, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)

Just across the road from the large car parking area at Dartmeet is a viewing point where you can see the East Dart River and West Dart River merge to form the Double Dart or, as it's more commonly known, the River Dart. There are chunky granite steps leading down in to the water for those wanting a...

Shilstone Rocks Horse Riding, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)

Nestled down a tiny lane a mile or so from the moorland village of Widecombe in the Moor, next to a stud that breeds Dartmoor Ponies. The horses range from sturdy Highland ponies to lighter breeds and the rides take you up onto Hamel Down, Bonehill Rocks and Buckland Beacon. The guides are responsib...

Bagtor Down, Haytor Vale, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)

As you climb the B3387 from Bovey Tracey past Haytor Vale to the high moors, Haytor Down runs north of the road and Bagtor Down to the south. Note that the River Sig rises on Bagtor Down from two boggy sections of moorland. The western section is called Bag Tor Marsh and is best avoided. If you...

Pil Tor, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)

Pil Tor is the largest tor on Blackslade Down. Roughly speaking, two walls of granite are separated by a strip of moorland. We've positioned Pil Tor on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location. The tor is situated by Top Tor. Click through to that listing...

Coffin Stone, Dartmeet, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 5 miles away)

Study the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map and you'll come across lots of evocative place names. There's the Heap of Sinners and Deadman's Bottom, Mount Misery and the Coffin Stone. All these names tell fascinating stories about Dartmoor's past. Once, the dead were carried in coffins...