Chagford, Dartmoor National Park

Chagford, Dartmoor National Park
  • Situated in the north eastern section of Dartmoor National Park, Chagford regularly appears in the national press as one of the most desirable places to live in the UK. Essential Dartmoor visiting
  • Discover high moorland and the sources of the River Teign. The amazing Teign Gorge, Castle Drogo (National Trust) and local beauty spot Fingle Bridge with its pub are all downriver. Fernworthy Forest and Fernworthy Reservoir are nearby
  • Walk and swim. Experience Dartmoor's famous tors, wild swim in the River Teign or swim in Chagford's super popular outdoor pool
  • Visit some of Dartmoor's best prehistoric sites which are in the local area. Walk to Scorhill Stone Circle, Hurston Ridge/Chagford Common Stone Row and Spinster's Rock
  • Spend time at one of the many local visitor attractions from Castle Drogo (National Trust) to Stone Lane Gardens and Mythic Garden Sculpture Exhibition. If you have young kids then The Miniature Pony Centre is relatively close on the outskirts of Moretonhampstead
  • Enjoy local food and drink in the numerous pubs, cafes and restaurants clustered around the distinctive pepperpot building in the town square
  • Main photo: the Three Crowns inn opposite The Church of St Michael the Archangel in the centre of Chagford

 

Where is Chagford in Dartmoor National Park?

Huge numbers of holidaymakers visit the National Trust's Castle Drogo (National Trust) every year. Stand on its terrace and you'll see Dartmoor's high moor rising above hilly, wooded countryside. At the foot of one of these hills, in this gentler landscape, is the National Park gateway town Chagford.

Dartmoor consists of two high moorland plateaus to the north and south separated by a dip in the centre of the National Park. Chagford sits on the edge of the northern moorland plateau. Rivers flow from the high ground and cut stunning wooded valleys on the fringe of the moors. One such river flows past Chagford into one of Dartmoor's finest wooded valleys. The town is in a magnificent location.

Chagford regularly appears in the national press as one of the most desirable places to live in the UK. With plenty of places to eat and drink and several luxury hotels in the local area, Chagford is a super place in which to base yourself for a holiday. Reasonably close to the northern border of the Park and A30, it's also very easily accessible for weekend breaks.

 

Directions to Chagford

Chagford is very easily accessible. The town is located by the A382 which is one of the major roads in the National Park.

If you're coming from the north, follow the A30 to Whiddon Down and then drive the A382 to Sandypark and then Chagford. Note that the road at Sandypark is very narrow and on a steep hill. It's notorious for its queues as lorries squeeze past one another heading north and south.

If you're coming from the South Devon area, take the A38 to Bovey Tracey where you'll pick up the A382 heading north west to Moretonhampstead and then Chagford.

The Chagford area of Dartmoor is crossed by many skinny lanes. You can approach Chagford from all directions on one of these. Remember, they're narrow!

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

 

Parking in Chagford

The main car park is in the centre of town by the church. There's limited parking on the town square, the High Street and Mill Street.

Parking can be difficult. Chagford is a small place and is being heavily developed at present so be patient.

 

Why holiday or weekend break around Chagford?

To help you choose Chagford, we've listed some of the local attractions below.

 

Cafes, pubs and restaurants in Chagford

In the scheme of things, Chagford is a small place but it's packed with cafes and pubs and there are plenty of high quality restaurants in the surrounding area.

Pubs/inns include the Three Crowns Inn and The Globe Inn.

Cafes include The Birdcage, The Courtyard Cafe and The New Forge Cafe and Restaurant.

The restaurants at Mill End Hotel, Gidleigh Park and Bovey Castle are a short drive away.

 

Shopping in Chagford

The labyrinthine James Bowden & Son Hardware & Moorland Centre (Webber & Sons now shut) is superb and seems to sell everything under the sun.

The deli, dairy, butcher and wine merchants cater for foodies.

Also browse art, craft and clothes shops.

 

Meldon Hill above Chagford

Climb Meldon Hill. Chagford's in the shadow of Meldon Hill and there's a steep path to its summit.

The views are extraordinary and you're likely to see Ponies on Dartmoor.

 

The National Trust's Castle Drogo near Chagford

Visit the National Trust's Castle Drogo (National Trust). The last castle to be built in England, it's a fascinating place with top views of north Dartmoor and the Teign Gorge (National Trust).

 

Teign Gorge near Chagford

Walk the Teign Gorge (National Trust) to Fingle Bridge and Fingle Bridge Inn. This is one of Dartmoor's finest walks and will take about three hours from Chagford. See our Chagford, Teign Gorge and Fingle Bridge Circular Walk listing for details.

 

Stone Lane Gardens and Sculpture Exhibition near Chagford

Visit the superb Stone Lane Gardens and Mythic Garden Sculpture Exhibition near Castle Drogo and the Teign Gorge.

 

Walking on the high moors above Chagford

Chagford provides great access to the north east section of Dartmoor's high moors.

Head up to Batworthy Corner for Kestor Rock and Scorhill Stone Circle.

If you want a big walk, yomp to Hangingstone Hill which is the third highest tor/hill in Dartmoor behind High Willhays and Yes Tor.

 

Fernworthy Forest and Fernworthy Reservoir near Chagford

Visit Fernworthy Forest and Fernworthy Reservoir and walk its shores. A road climbs from Chagford to Fernworthy Forest and Reservoir. It's a stunning place, especially in Autumn. Try the Fernworthy Reservoir Circular Walk.

Also walk through Fernworthy Forest to Sittaford Tor.

 

Dartmoor's prehistory near Chagford

Dartmoor is internationally famous for its prehistoric sites. Spinster's Rock is a must.

Explore Chagford Common around Kestor Rock. You'll find Shovel Down Stone Rows and Scorhill Stone Circle.

Hurston Ridge/Chagford Common Stone Row is a remarkable stone row in the local area.

 

Swimming in and around Chagford

In warmer months, there's the outdoor swimming Chagford Swimming Pool (Outdoor) to enjoy on the outskirts of town.

It's also fun to wild swim in the River Teign. Note that swimming is not permitted in Fernworthy Reservoir.

 

Major Dartmoor attractions near Chagford

These include The Miniature Pony Centre, Canonteign Falls, Becky Falls Ancient Woodland Park and the National Trust's Lydford Gorge (National Trust).

The National Trust's Finch Foundry (National Trust) and English Heritage's Okehampton Castle (English Heritage) are great.

To learn more about Dartmoor, we'd recommend you head for Princetown National Park Visitor Centre and Okehampton's Museum of Dartmoor Life.

 

Local towns and villages near Chagford

Moretonhamptead is to the south east and Okehampton to the north west.

For local villages, try Drewsteignton and Belstone.