North Bovey, Dartmoor National Park

North Bovey, Dartmoor National Park
  • Classic English village in the eastern section of Dartmoor. The village green is fringed by pretty houses, a top pub and North Bovey St John's Church
  • Relax at the Ring of Bells Inn. One of Dartmoor's best pubs, there's a great seating area in front of the pub by the village green. The luxury hotel Bovey Castle is on the outskirts of the village
  • Walk to the top of Easdon Tor for some of the best views of this part of Dartmoor. You'll see Hound Tor, Haytor Rocks and the bulk of Hamel Down in addition to Cosdon Hill on Dartmoor's wild north moor
  • Explore the sublime Lustleigh Cleave. Enjoy the view of North Bovey and Bovey Castle from Hunters Tor at the north west end of the cleave. Discover the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve further down the valley
  • If you have kids, visit The Miniature Pony Centre. Drive the B3212 across the high moor stopping at the Warren House Inn and Postbridge Clapper Bridge
  • Main photo: North Bovey village and the luxury hotel Bovey Castle with Dartmoor's north moor beyond from Hunters Tor at the north west end of Lustleigh Cleave

 

Where is North Bovey in Dartmoor National Park?

North Bovey is a classic English village in the eastern section of Dartmoor. It's located near the Dartmoor gateway town Moretonhamsptead and the trans-moorland B3212 road. The luxury hotel Bovey Castle is on the outskirts of the village.

The River Bovey rises on Dartmoor's high moor. It arcs towards Bovey Castle and then skirts North Bovey on its way to the mouth of the Bovey Valley and the National Park's eastern border by Bovey Tracey. North Bovey sits in pretty countryside between high moor and a glorious steep-sided wooded valley.

 

Directions to North Bovey

The village is tucked away south west of Moretonhampstead and north west of the village Manaton. This part of Dartmoor is a warren of skinny moorland lanes.

We'd recommend driving to North Bovey via the trans-moorland B3212 road. Lanes run off this to the village. We tend to use the lane opposite the Co-op shop in the middle of Moretonhampstead. This lane passes Moretonhampstead Sports and Community Centre on its way to North Bovey. The lanes can get very narrow but there are passing places.

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

 

Parking in North Bovey

There's a small car park across the road from North Bovey St John's Church.

 

Why holiday or weekend break in North Bovey?

To help you choose the North Bovey area, we’ve listed some of the local attractions below.

 

The Ring Of Bells Inn in North Bovey

The Ring of Bells Inn is one of Dartmoor's best pubs. Rebuilt after a fire gutted the building a few years ago, The Ring Of Bells is a top place. There's an outdoor seating area by the village green.

 

North Bovey village green

Relax on North Bovey village green which is fringed by pretty houses, the pub and North Bovey St John's Church. Look out for the granite cross.

In his 'Guide to Dartmoor', the Dartmoor authority William Crossing writes: 'North Bovey has happily preserved its old restful air. Removed from the high road and the railway it is now almost as ever it was. Although not altogether typical of a Dartmoor border village, there is certainly not one that is more pleasing. The houses, one of which bears the date 1738, surround a playstow, shaded by a grove of ancient oaks. The village cross is an interesting feature. For a time this served the purpose of a footbridge, but was set up in its present situation in 1829 by the Rev. J. P. Jones, who was then curate of the parish. [Crosses, Chap. XV.] Mr. Jones was the author of a small book on the scenery and antiquities of Moretonhampstead, and another on the scenery in the neighbourhood of Ashburton, both first published in 1823.'

 

The luxury hotel Bovey Castle by North Bovey

Stay or eat at the luxury hotel Bovey Castle. One of the Westcountry's best hotels, the setting is glorious.

 

Easdon Tor near North Bovey

Walk to the top of Easdon Tor.

Surrounded by farmland and fields, cut off from the mass of Dartmoor's high moor, Easdon Tor is relatively isolated and offers magnificent views of north and east Dartmoor. 

Parking can be tricky so probably the best way to get to Easdon Tor is from Manaton. There's a car park by Manaton Church. A path runs from behind the church tower across fields to the Manaton/Langstone Cross road. Follow the road to Langstone Cross and then turn left, or west, to Barracott. Turn right at Barracott and you come to a path that leads to the southern edge of Easdon Down. Go through the gate and follow the path that rises across the moorland to Easdon Tor. There's a trig point at the summit. 

From the summit, you can follow the track that descends north and north east to the edge of Easdon Down. You can then follow the perimeter until you hit an obvious path that's marked on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map. This takes you back to the gate at the southern edge of the moor. Alternatively, from the north edge you can take a path down to Luckdon. Follow the road to Langstone and pick up the path that runs across farmland and fields to Manaton and the car park. Again, these paths are marked on the OS map.

 

Other tors near North Bovey

Dartmoor's famous Hound Tor (East Dartmoor) is relatively close.

Haytor Rocks is across the valley from Hound Tor.

We'd also recommend driving the B3212 trans-moorland road up to the Warren House Inn area. Wander up to Birch Tor for big views.

Hookney Tor and Hameldown Tor are just off the B3212.

 

Lustleigh Cleave near North Bovey

Explore Lustleigh Cleave. Cut by the River Bovey, this is one of Dartmoor's best steep-sided valleys.

Yomp to Hunter's Tor (Lustleigh Cleave/East Dartmoor) for huge views of North Bovey, Bovey Castle and Dartmoor's north moor including the vast dome of Cosdon Hill.

 

East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve near North Bovey

Discover East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve.

England's first National Nature Reserve, the East Dartmoor National Nature Reserve consists of parts of the Bovey Valley, Trendlebere Down and Yarner Wood.

 

The Miniature Pony Centre near North Bovey

If you have kids, spend a day at The Miniature Pony Centre.

 

Becky Falls Ancient Woodland Park from North Bovey

Becky Falls Ancient Woodland Park is another top Dartmoor family visitor attraction.

 

Dartmoor high moor walks near North Bovey

For high moor, we'd recommend walking Hamel Down.

 

Postbridge, Bellever, Two Bridges and Princetown from North Bovey

The abovementioned B3212 takes you through the heart of Dartmoor National Park to Princetown and Tavistock.

Stop at Warren House Inn. Southern England's highest pub looks out across high moorland to Birch Tor, the Headland Warren area and the bulk of Hamel Down beyond. Sensational views from the pub garden!

Postbridge Clapper Bridge is a little further south west.

Beyond that is Two Bridges which is close to the remarkable Wistman's Wood National Nature Reserve.

The B3212 leads to Princetown, Dartmoor PrisonDartmoor Prison Museum and Princetown National Park Visitor Centre.

 

Other local towns and villages near North Bovey

For villages, visit Manaton and Lustleigh.

For towns, explore Moretonhampstead, Chagford and Bovey Tracey.