North Brentor, Dartmoor National Park

North Brentor, Dartmoor National Park
  • Dartmoor's highest and wildest ground is located in the north and west of the National Park. North Brentor and Brentor/Brent Tor sit on the western border of Dartmoor National Park providing sensational views of this flank of high, wild moorland
  • Brentor/Brent Tor provide one of Dartmoor's best views. It's also where you'll find the famous church that sits on top of a tor
  • Superb base from which to explore Dartmoor, the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the eastern section of Cornwall
  • Visit nearby Lydford Gorge (National Trust), Okehampton Castle (English Heritage) and Tavistock which is part of a rare UNESCO World Heritage Site
  • Walk Dartmoor's valley and high moor. Go horse riding, cycle a long distance route and canoe the River Tamar
  • Main photo: Brentor/Brent Tor topped by Brentor St Michael de Rupe Church

 

Where is North Brentor in Dartmoor National Park?

North Brentor is located by the western border of Dartmoor. Basically, it's pretty much as far west as you can go in the National Park (there's a finger of land that juts out to Double Waters to the south that's further west).

Tavistock is south and Lydford and then Okehampton are to the north east. The Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) and the Cornwall border are nearby.

The high, wild west and north west flank of Dartmoor rise from the relatively flat countryside in which North Brentor is situated. It's an awesome location.

 

Directions to North Brentor

The A386 runs down the western side of Dartmoor National Park. Drive this road until you see signs for North Brentor between Lydford and Tavistock.

There's a warren of country lanes around North Brentor so you can approach from all directions.

We've positioned North Brentor on Google maps so zoom in on the 'Satellite' setting to see its location.

 

Parking at North Brentor

Most people head to the North Brentor area to visit the church on the tor at Brentor/Brent Tor. There's a car park on the west side of the road below Brentor/Brent Tor. Cross the road and wander up.

 

Why holiday or weekend break in the North Brentor area?

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

 

Brentor (or Brent Tor on Ordnance Survey mapping) near North Brentor

Visit one of Dartmoor's iconic visitor attractions.

Brentor St Michael de Rupe Church tops Brentor and offers extraordinary views of the western flank of Dartmoor, the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and Cornwall. Essential visiting.

 

Brentor St Michael de Rupe Church near North Brentor

Having enjoyed the views, take time to experience the church.

'Founded in 1130 by the local landowner Robert Giffard, St Michael's is the fourth smallest parish church in the UK, and is, we believe, the highest working church in England.' (Source: Brentor Church: The Church in Brentor website)

 

Brentor Hillfort near North Brentor

Explore the Iron Age earthworks that curl around the tor. These are what remain of a hillfort.

Other Dartmoor hillforts include Cranbrook Castle HillfortPrestonbury Castle HillfortWooston Castle HillfortNattadon HillfortHunter's Tor HillfortHembury Hillfort and East Hill Hillfort.

 

Wheal Betsy (National Trust) near North Brentor

Drive the A386 between Lydford and Tavistock and you'll see Wheal Betsy (National Trust) just east of the road on the side of a valley. It acts as a memorial to the once super important mining industry of Dartmoor and the Tamar Valley.

'Wheal Betsy. This ancient silver-lead mine was reopened in 1806 and worked successfully for the next seventy years. The mine was worked by water power until 1868 when this building was erected to house a Cornish beam pumping engine. Until its closure in 1877 all pumping, winding and crushing of ore was carried out by steam power. In 1967 the ruined engine house and stack were acquired and made safe by the National Trust as a memorial to the mining industry of Dartmoor.'

To learn more, visit the Museum of Dartmoor Life in Okehampton, Tavistock Museum and Morwellham Quay UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tavistock Museum and Morwellham Quay UNESCO World Heritage Site are part of a rare UNESCO World Heritage Site. See below for more information.

 

Lydford Gorge (National Trust) near North Brentor

Walk the remarkable Lydford Gorge cut by the River Lyd that rises on Dartmoor's north moor. Stand at the bottom of the highest natural waterfalls in South West England and listen to the thunderous Devil's Cauldron.

Afterwards, relax with a cream tea and browse the National Trust shop.

 

Lydford near North Brentor

Lydford was once a very important place. This is reflected in its many historical sites.

Lydford was a Saxon burh or fortified town. There were only a few of these in Devon.

Vikings attacked Lydford and sacked Tavistock. Look for the Battle of Lydford Memorial and the Lydford Viking Rune Stone.

The Normans built Lydford The Norman Castle.

Lydford Castle (English Heritage) 'was probably built about 1195 to serve as a prison'. 

Lydford was also the end of the Lichway/Lych Way.

 

Walking near North Brentor

Walk to the top of Brentor for the amazing views.

Enjoy the Lydford Gorge Circular Walk.

Drive to Lane End to walk the Tavy Cleave. Try the Tavy Cleave to Ger Tor Circular Walk.

Take the A386 to Tavistock and then the B3357 onto the high moor. There's a big car park at the top of Pork Hill overlooking Tavistock. Walk to Great Staple Tor.

Yomp up to Great Links Tor from the Lydford area.

Experience Dartmoor's highest ground on the Dartmoor's Highest Points Circular Walk (High Willhays/Yes Tor).

 

Cycling near North Brentor

Cycle the Granite Way from Lydford to Meldon Viaduct and Okehampton.

Follow Drake's Trail from Tavistock to Plymouth.

 

Horse riding near North Brentor

Ride on moorland from Cholwell Farm Riding Stables.

 

Tamar Valley and Tavistock UNESCO World Heritage Site near North Brentor

North Brentor is located next to an internationally important UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Tamar Valley & Tavistock UNESCO World Heritage Site is part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape UNESCO World Heritage Site. Learn more about the area and discover its history.

 

Tavistock near North Brentor

In addition to its remarkable history, Tavistock is a thriving modern town with great shopping and places to eat and drink.

Head for Tavistock Pannier Market and then wander around town. It's a relatively small place so easy to explore on foot.

 

Okehampton near North Brentor

Okehampton sits below the highest ground in Dartmoor National Park. Visit Okehampton Castle (English Heritage) and the Museum of Dartmoor Life.

Drive up to Okehampton Camp and explore Dartmoor's north moor. Walk up to Yes Tor and High Willhays which are the only two mountains in southern England.

 

Tors near North Brentor

We'd recommend visiting the following tors on Dartmoor's north moor:

Great Staple Tor.

Ger Tor.

Great Links Tor.

Sourton Tors.

Black Tor (North Dartmoor).

Yes Tor and High Willhays.

 

Dartmoor's prehistory near North Brentor

Visit Merrivale (English Heritage).

Browse our Best Dartmoor Prehistoric Sites for more information on Dartmoor's prehistory.

 

Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) near North Brentor

The Tamar Valley is an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB) that borders the west side of Dartmoor National Park. The AONB is located on either side of the River Tamar where Devon meets Cornwall. Stunning landscape. One of the most under-visited areas of beauty in the UK. Away from the crowds and highly recommended.

 

Other towns and villages near North Brentor

In addition to Lydford, we'd recommend visiting Belstone and Sticklepath near the northern border of Dartmoor.

In addition to Tavistock and Okehampton, visit Chagford.