South Brent, Dartmoor National Park

South Brent, Dartmoor National Park
  • Super location between moor and sea on the south eastern border of Dartmoor National Park
  • Visit nearby Avon Dam Reservoir. This stunning reservoir acts as a gateway to the south moor. Head for Shipley Bridge car park and follow the tarmac road (no vehicle access) to the dam
  • Walk Dartmoor's south moor and discover its prehistoric sites
  • Enjoy local visitor attractions including Pennywell Farm and Dartmoor Zoo
  • Explore the South Devon coast and Plymouth
  • Main photo: the Avon Dam Reservoir near South Brent

 

Where is South Brent in Dartmoor National Park?

South Brent is located on the south eastern border of Dartmoor by the A38. It sits below Dartmoor's south moor.

The village is close to South Devon's glorious south coast which has some of the best sandy beaches in the Westcountry.

It takes under thirty minutes to drive to Plymouth's famous waterfront. Exeter is about forty minutes away to the north east via the A38.

It's a great base for a moor, sea and city holiday.

 

Directions to South Brent

Drive the A38 Devon Expressway to the south eastern section of Dartmoor between Ashburton and Ivybridge. South Brent is located just off the A38 and is well sign posted.

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

 

Parking in South Brent

You can normally find parking in the centre of the village along the road.

 

Why holiday or weekend break around South Brent?

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

 

Local pubs in and around South Brent

Lunch at local pubs such as The Oak Inn and nearby The Treby Arms.

 

Avon Dam Reservoir near South Brent

Head up to the car parking area at Shipley Bridge and follow the River Avon through a beautiful valley to the Avon Dam Reservoir. It's a stunning place that's great for a picnic.

From there, you can wander around the eastern side of the reservoir and connect with the Abbot's Way.

 

Ugborough Beacon near South Brent

Walk Dartmoor's south moor.

Shipley Bridge is a great starting point. Follow the Zeal Tor Tramway (Dismantled) to Red Lake China Clay Works. or divert to Eastern White Barrow. See Ordnance Survey maps for detail.

The views from Ugborough Beacon are immense.

 

Discovering Dartmoor's prehistory in the South Brent area

Discover the local area's prehistory.

The south moor above South Brent is peppered with prehistoric barrows. In addition to Eastern White Barrow, try Three Barrows.

Experience Corringdon Ball Long Barrow and Corringdon Ball Stone Rows.

Stalldown Stone Row and Stall Moor Stone Row, said to be the longest in the world, are a little further away.

Cuckoo Ball Burial Chamber is located near the southern border of the National Park.

 

Visit Dartmoor Zoo from South Brent

Spend a day at Dartmoor Zoo.

 

Visit Buckfast Abbey from South Brent

Visit the amazing Buckfast Abbey.

In addition, there are many family visitor attractions in the local area. Try Pennywell Farm, the South Devon RailwayDartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterflies and River Dart Adventures.

 

Discovering National Trust properties from South Brent

Explore all the National Trust properties in this part of Devon.

The Dewerstone, Hembury Woods (National Trust) and Holne Woods (National Trust) are stunning.

Saltram House and Buckland Abbey (National Trust) are to the west.

Greenway and Coleton Fishacre are to the east on the River Dart and South Devon coast.

If you don't mind travelling, we'd very much recommend a trip to Castle Drogo (National Trust) which is located above the mouth of the remarkable Teign Gorge (National Trust) near the Dartmoor gateway town Chagford.

 

Dartmoor's outdoor activities in the South Brent area

Enjoy Dartmoor's outdoor activities.

Go horse riding.

Wild swim at Spitchwick (Deeper Marsh/Spitchwick Common).

In season, canoe the Dart Gorge.

In South Devon, surf at Bigbury-on-Sea Beach and Bantham Beach.

 

Enjoying the South Devon coast from South Brent

Make the most of South Brent's location and explore South Devon.

Salcombe and Dartmouth are two of the best coastal towns in the UK.

The English Riviera is packed with family visitor attractions.

Inland, Totnes is a superb place. Take a boat trip from Totnes down the River Dart to Dartmouth. There are super views from Totnes Castle (English Heritage) which sits at the top of Totnes overlooking the River Dart and across to Dartmoor.

 

Day trips to the beach from South Brent

Bigbury-on-Sea Beach. Huge low tide sand beach connecting with the iconic Burgh Island. Great coastal walking. Beach backs on to a pub, cafe and car park. Just over 30 minutes from South Brent.

Bantham Beach. Another huge low tide sand beach across the water from Bigbury-on-Sea Beach. Super popular with surfers. Again, just over 30 minutes from South Brent.

Mothecombe (Meadowsfoot) Beach. Deep, sandy low tide beach at the mouth of the Erme Estuary. There's a large car parking area behind Coastguard's Beach and Mothecombe (Meadowsfoot) Beach. Charges apply. Note that there's a wonderful cafe and toilets at this car parking area. The outdoor seating area at the cafe is superb on sunny days.

Wembury Beach. Rock, shingle and sand beach by Wembury Marine Centre. It's the most popular of a number of beaches that line Wembury Bay near the mouth of Plymouth Sound. There's a National Trust cafe and shop at The Old Mill behind the beach.

Slapton Sands (Beach). Huge, narrow shingle beach running along the centre of Start Bay.

Blackpool Sands (Beach). One of South Devon's most popular beaches, this arc of shingle (small pebble) beach is a short distance south east of Dartmouth. Whilst you have to pay a small parking fee to access the beach, there are excellent facilities including toilets, a cafe and shop. 

 

Exploring Plymouth from South Brent

Day trip to Plymouth. Amazing city in a stunning location.

Visit the National Marine Aquarium.

Learn about the city's internationally important history at the Mayflower Museum.

 

Day trip to Cornwall from South Brent

Take a ferry to Cornwall or boat trip out to sea.

 

Local towns and villages in the South Brent area

In this area, we'd also recommend visiting Ashburton.

For villages, try Holne and Widecombe-in-the-Moor.