Buckland in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park

Buckland in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park
  • Much photographed, pretty village in the popular and less wild eastern section of Dartmoor National Park. Known for its collection of thatched houses
  • Drive the country lanes that rise from Ashburton to Buckland-in-the-Moor and continue to Widecombe-in-the-Moor
  • Take in the extraordinary views of Dartmoor and South Devon from the quirky The Ten Commandments Stones at Buckland Beacon above Buckland-in-the-Moor
  • Picnic and wild swim at nearby Spitchwick and walk the extraordinary Dart Gorge
  • Drop down to explore Ashburton, Buckfast and Buckfastleigh. Enjoy some of South Devon's best beaches including Bigbury-on-Sea Beach and Bantham Beach
  • Main photo: The Ten Commandments Stones at Buckland Beacon above Buckland-in-the-Moor with the sun setting behind Dartmoor's south moor

 

Where is Buckland-in-the-Moor in Dartmoor National Park?

Buckland-in-the-Moor is in the eastern section of Dartmoor near some of the National Park's prettiest villages. It sits below Buckland Beacon and high moor (leading to Rippon Tor, Haytor Rocks and Hound Tor). The stunning Dart Gorge and the Dartmoor beauty spot Spitchwick are nearby.

 

Directions to Buckland-in-the-Moor

We've positioned Buckland-in-the-Moor on Google maps. Zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.

 

Parking at Buckland-in-the-Moor

Widecombe-in-the-Moor has several car parks. Buckland-in-the-Moor is much smaller and so there's only limited parking along the road by, for example, the village church.

 

One of the prettiest and most photographed villages in Dartmoor National Park

Most people visit Buckland-in-the-Moor on a Dartmoor driving tour. Skinny lanes climb from Ashburton to Buckland-in-the-Moor and continue to Widecombe-in-the-Moor.

The eastern area of Dartmoor is packed with pretty villages. See our Villages of Dartmoor Driving Tour/Road Trip listing for more information.

 

The Ten Commandments Stones above Buckland-in-the-Moor

Experience The Ten Commandments Stones.

Carved by W.A.Clement in summer 1928, The Ten Commandments Stones were commissioned by a local landowner W.Whitely to celebrate Parliament's 1928 rejection of a new Book of Common Prayer. In addition to the Ten Commandments, there are other verses carved into the stones. Because the stones are exposed and battered by wind and rain, the words fade. June 2017 saw conservators working on the stones making the commandments and verses legible again.

 

Buckland Beacon above Buckland-in-the-Moor

The Buckland Beacon area is superb.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines a beacon as 'a fire or light set up in a high or prominent position as a warning, signal, or celebration’. There is a chain of beacons on Dartmoor running from the edge of the north moor down to the edge of the south moor. Buckland Beacon is, roughly speaking, in the centre of this chain. Running north to south, the beacons are Cosdon Beacon, Hameldown Beacon, Buckland Beacon, Ugborough Beacon, Western Beacon and Penn Beacon.

 

Spitchwick near Buckland-in-the-Moor

Picnic and wild swim at Spitchwick (Deeper Marsh/Spitchwick Common) and the New Bridge (Newbridge) area.

Spitchwick is one of Dartmoor's most popular outdoor spots. A large, grassy area running along a bend in the River Dart, it's often heaving with families having picnics and wild swimming in the holiday season. It's known for its natural beauty and is easily accessible from Ashburton and South Devon beyond.

 

The Dart Gorge near Buckland-in-the-Moor

Dartmoor is fringed by steep-sided valleys, cleaves and gorges cut by rivers that flow from the high moor. The Dart Gorge is one of the best.

Walk the Two Moors Way along Dr Blackall's Drive Walk on the northern lip of the Dart Gorge. The view back to Buckland-in-the-Moor is superb.

 

Tors near Buckland-in-the-Moor

Rippon TorHaytor Rocks and Hound Tor (East Dartmoor) are to the north and north east of Buckland-in-the-Moor and are very easily accessible.

Sharp Tor (Dartmeet/East Dartmoor) is on the north side of the Dart Gorge from Buckland-in-the-Moor and provides super views of the local area.

Bench Tor and Combestone Tor are on the south side of the Dart Gorge. Late autumn at Bench Tor is remarkable.

 

Walks near Buckland-in-the-Moor

Walk Dr Blackall's Drive Walk on the north side of the Dart Gorge.

Walk Bench Tor on the south side of the Dart Gorge.

We'd also recommend the Buckland Beacon Walk.

 

Other outdoor activities near Buckland-in-the-Moor

Go horse riding. Regrettably, Babeny Farm Riding Stables closed. Try Shilstone Rocks Horse Riding by Widecombe-in-the-Moor instead.

Try climbing and bouldering at Bonehill Rocks and Hound Tor (East Dartmoor).

 

Pubs near Buckland-in-the-Moor

Tavistock Inn is just down the road from Buckland-in-the-Moor above Spitchwick.

The Rugglestone Inn is an award winning pub on the edge of Widecombe-in-the-Moor.

The Old Inn is in the centre of Widecombe-in-the-Moor.

 

Widecombe-in-the-Moor from Buckland-in-the-Moor

Explore the famous moorland village Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Haytor National Park Visitor Centre, Haytor Rocks and Hound Tor are all located in the Widecombe-in-the-Moor area.

 

Dartmoor prehistory and history near Buckland-in-the-Moor

Discover Dartmoor's prehistory. Grimspound (English Heritage) is Dartmoor's most famous prehistoric site.

Discover Dartmoor's history. Take a tour of Higher Uppacott Longhouse and discover Hound Tor Abandoned Medieval Settlement (English Heritage).

 

Ashburton and Buckfastleigh near Buckland-in-the-Moor

Drop down to Ashburton.

Visit Buckfast Abbey, South Devon Railway, Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterflies and Pennywell Farm in and around Buckfastleigh.

 

Dartmoor's high moor, Two Bridges, Princetown, Bellever and Postbridge from Buckland-in-the-Moor

Drive to the heart of Dartmoor to visit Two Bridges and then Princetown.

Head back to Two Bridges and then continue to Bellever Forest and Postbridge.

 

South Devon and The English Riviera from Buckland-in-the-Moor

Buckland-in-the-Moor is located by the eastern border of Dartmoor National Park. The village is a great place from which to explore South Devon and The English Riviera.

Browse one of our network sites Love South Devon for more information.

 

Exeter and Plymouth from Buckland-in-the-Moor

The A38 provides quick access to the cities Exeter and Plymouth.

 

Local towns and villages near Buckland-in-the-Moor

For another beautiful moorland village, try Widecombe-in-the-Moor.

For towns, try Ashburton and Buckfastleigh.