Belstone, Dartmoor National Park
- The best village/town from which to walk in Dartmoor National Park. Amazing variety of moorland landscapes, tors and river valleys to explore. If you are a keen walker then Belstone is essential visiting
- This beautiful moorland village is located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park's north moor. It's very easily accessible from the A30 which is the major Devon/Cornwall road
- Offers access to some superb, if often remote, prehistoric sites
- Sits between two extraordinary cleaves or steep-sided valleys. These are particularly impressive in autumn
- Great village pub and tea room
- Main photo: winter on Dartmoor's north moor. View from Belstone ridge to Oke Tor, Steeperton Tor and Hangingstone Hill on the horizon
Where is Belstone in Dartmoor National Park?
Beautiful moorland village located on the edge of Dartmoor National Park's north moor. Travel along the A30 from Devon to Cornwall and you'll skirt the huge, domed Cosdon Hill (Cawsand Hill) that pushes out towards the northern boundary of the National Park. Below the north west fringe of this hill is the beautiful moorland village Belstone.
It's exceptionally popular with walkers looking to explore Dartmoor's north moor and many of its most stunning tors.
Directions to Belstone
Follow the A30 to Okehampton. Take the exit on the east side of town by the BP garage. The turning for Belstone is just up the road on your right. A skinny moorland lane takes you to the outskirts of the village.
We've positioned Belstone on Google maps. Zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.
Parking in Belstone
There's a reasonably large car parking area on your left as you enter the village from the A30 direction. Use this and wander into the village as the lanes are skinny and the village very popular.
Best things to do in Belstone
To help you choose Belstone, we've listed some of the local attractions below.
Walking the high moor
Belstone is one of the best places (and the best village/town) from which to walk in Dartmoor National Park. Wander up into Taw Plain and Taw Marsh for spectacular views of the conical Steeperton Tor.
For the more energetic, head for Belstone Tor (Belstone Tors and Tors End) and then Oke Tor. Try the Belstone and Oke Tor Circular Walk. The walk is superb, takes in many impressive tors and provides fine views of the only two mountains in southern England at Yes Tor and High Willhays.
Extend that walk from Oke Tor to Steeperton Tor for remarkable views of Dartmoor's north moor, Taw Marsh and Mid Devon to Exmoor National Park on the horizon.
For a more difficult walk, slog up the side of Cosdon Hill (Cawsand Hill) to Cosdon Beacon.
If you fancy a challenge, head for Hangingstone Hill and Cranmere Pool on the north plateau. Cranmere Pool is the site of Dartmoor's first letterbox and is a must for any Dartmoor enthusiast.
Last, Belstone is the start, or end, of the tough Dartmoor North To South Walk In A Day.
The Tors Inn
Enjoy a long lunch in The Tors Inn. The pub's located in the heart of the village with a garden on the edge of Belstone Great Green. Stunning views up to Cosdon Hill and across Belstone Cleave.
Belstone Cleave
Stroll down to Belstone Cleave after that long pub lunch. Dartmoor's high moors are fringed by wooded valleys or cleaves. The River Taw tumbles through Belstone Cleave on its way to Sticklepath. It's a beautiful place.
You can walk the cleave between Belstone and Sticklepath and visit Finch Foundry (National Trust). Note that this walk through Belstone Cleave is part of the Tarka Trail and Two Museums Walk. Try the Belstone Cleave and Skaigh Woods Circular Walk.
You can also head west of Belstone to West Cleave. Try the Belstone and West Cleave Circular Walk.
Other National Trust properties
In addition to the National Trust's Finch Foundry, we'd suggest you visit Lydford Gorge (National Trust) and Castle Drogo (National Trust). Other National Trust properties include Buckland Abbey (National Trust), Cotehele House and Saltram House.
Dartmoor's prehistory
Discover Dartmoor's prehistory in the local area. Experience the Nine Maidens Stone Circle, Cosdon (The Cemetery) Stone Row, Scorhill Stone Circle and Spinster's Rock.
To learn more about Dartmoor's prehistory, head for Postbridge National Park Visitor Centre and Princetown National Park Visitor Centre.
Outdoor activities
Enjoy Dartmoor's outdoor activities. Try Dartmoor Horse Riding.
Mountain bike the army roads that climb from Okehampton Camp to the north moor. For family bike rides, try the Granite Way between Okehampton and Lydford. Further south, ride Drake's Trail. There are superb family mountain bike rides on the Granite and Gears routes from Princetown. Try Granite and Gears Princetown Railway Cycling Routes.
Explore Okehampton
Learn about the National Park in the Museum of Dartmoor Life and then head to English Heritage's Okehampton Castle (English Heritage).
Visit Chagford
The National Trust's Castle Drogo (National Trust) is just outside Chagford and sits above the mouth of the extraordinary Teign Gorge (National Trust). Spend an afternoon at Stone Lane Gardens and Mythic Garden Sculpture Exhibition. Having explored the Chagford area, head down to Moretonhampstead and then follow the B3212 as it rises to Postbridge and Princetown in the heart of Dartmoor.
Day trip to Exeter
Exeter Cathedral is a must. Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) is arguably the best museum in the Westcountry.
North Cornwall
The huge low tide sand beach at Bude is less than an hour away from Belstone.
Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty
We'd also recommend discovering the remarkable Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the Devon/Cornwall border. Highlights include Morwellham Quay, Calstock and the National Trust's Cotehele House.
Local towns and villages
If you're keen to visit the north of the Park try also the 'gateway towns' of Okehampton and Chagford.
For other villages try Lydford and South Zeal.
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