Sticklepath, Dartmoor National Park

Sticklepath, Dartmoor National Park
  • Village in great location on the edge of Dartmoor's north moor. Sticklepath sits below Cosdon Hill and is situated at the eastern end of Belstone Cleave. The village is near the A30
  • Visit the National Trust's Finch Foundry. Other National Trust properties in the area include Castle Drogo and Lydford Gorge
  • Relax in one of the village pubs
  • Walk Belstone Cleave to the pretty moorland village Belstone
  • Yomp up to Cosdon Beacon at the top of Cosdon Hill for big views of Dartmoor's north moor, Mid Devon and Exmoor National Park on the horizon
  • Drive the A30 east to Exeter or west into Cornwall. Follow the A382 into Dartmoor and visit Chagford and Moretonhampstead
  • Main photo: the National Trust's Finch Foundry in Sticklepath

 

Where is Sticklepath in Dartmoor National Park?

Sticklepath village is located near the northern border of Dartmoor National Park between Okehampton and Whiddon Down (leading to Chagford).

Sticklepath is situated at the eastern end of Belstone Cleave and below the vast bulk of Cosdon Hill and Dartmoor's north moor. The A30 runs just north of the village.

It's a great location from which to explore Dartmoor National Park, Exeter and the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Cornwall, South Devon, Mid Devon and North Devon/Exmoor National Park are all easily accessible from Sticklepath.

 

Directions to Sticklepath

Follow the A30 to either Okehampton or Whiddon Down. The old Exeter Road/B3260 takes you to Sticklepath.

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

 

Parking in Sticklepath

If you're visiting the National Trust's Finch Foundry then there's plenty of parking out back. You can also park along the main road running through the village or at the eastern end of Belstone Cleave.

There's a car park in nearby South Zeal as well.

 

Why holiday or weekend break in the Sticklepath area?

To help you choose the Sticklepath area, we've listed some attractions below.

 

The National Trust's Finch Foundry in Sticklepath

Visit Finch Foundry (National Trust) in the heart of the village.

Other National Trust properties in the area include Castle Drogo (National Trust) and Lydford Gorge (National Trust).

Further away, try Cotehele, Buckland Abbey and Saltram House.

 

Belstone Cleave and Sticklepath

Walk through Belstone Cleave to the pretty moorland village Belstone.

A cleave is a steep-sided valley cut by one of the many rivers that flow from Dartmoor's high moor. Belstone Cleave is cut by the River Taw. Belstone Cleave is named after the pretty moorland village Belstone located at the western end of the cleave.  It's a great riverside and valley walk between Sticklepath and Belstone.

 

Cosdon Hill, Cosdon Beacon and Dartmoor's north moor from Sticklepath

For a more difficult walk, yomp up to Cosdon Beacon on top of Cosdon Hill (Cawsand Hill) for huge views across Dartmoor's north moor and over Mid Devon to Exmoor National Park.

 

Dartmoor's internationally important prehistory from Sticklepath

Experience some of Dartmoor's internationally important prehistoric sites.

Highlights include Cosdon (The Cemetery) Stone Row and the Nine Maidens Stone Circle by Belstone.

 

Pubs and cafes in Sticklepath

Lunch at one of Sticklepath's pubs.

The Taw River Inn and The Devonshire Inn are by Finch Foundry.

 

Dartmoor outdoor activities near Sticklepath

Enjoy Dartmoor's outdoor activities.

Go horse riding. See our Dartmoor Horse Riding listing for detail.

Cycle the Granite Way.

Mountain bike the army roads that climb to the north plateau from Okehampton Camp.

 

Explore the Chagford area from Sticklepath

Explore the Chagford area.

In addition to Castle Drogo, there's the sublime Teign Gorge and the Dartmoor beauty spot Fingle Bridge.

Grab food and drink at Fingle Bridge Inn.

 

Explore the Okehampton area from Sticklepath

Spend a day in the Okehampton area.

Learn about the National Park in the Museum of Dartmoor Life.

Visit English Heritage's Okehampton Castle.

 

The Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty from Sticklepath

Head west and south west to the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty with its UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Highlights include Lopwell Dam, Buckland Abbey (National Trust), The Garden House, Morwellham Quay UNESCO World Heritage Site and Cotehele (National Trust).

For outdoor activities, head for the Tamar Trails Centre. Mountain bike, treesurf and canoe the River Tamar.

 

Cornwall from Sticklepath

Cornwall is very easily accessible from Sticklepath.

Launceston, on the Devon/Cornwall border, is about 25 minutes from Sticklepath.

The heart of Bodmin Moor around Jamaica Inn is about half an hour away.

The North Cornwall coast is roughly an hour away.

St Ives and West Cornwall are about an hour and a half drive from Sticklepath although, clearly, timings depend of traffic. If you visit in high summer then plan for much longer drive times.

 

Day trips to beaches from Sticklepath

Crackington Haven Beach in North Cornwall. Deep low tide sand beach below huge cliffs. Great coastal walking although it gets steep. Beach backs on to a pub, cafe and car park. Roughly 50 minutes from Sticklepath.

Widemouth Sand Beach in North Cornwall. Big stretch of sand popular with surfers. Roughly 50 minutes from Sticklepath.

Bude Summerleaze Beach in North Cornwall. The southern section of a massive low tide sand beach at Bude. Roughly 55 minutes from Sticklepath.

Northcott Mouth Beach in North Cornwall. The middle section of a massive low tide sand beach at Bude. About an hour from Sticklepath.

Sandy Mouth Beach in North Cornwall. The northern section (along with Duckpool Bay Beach) of a massive low tide sand beach at Bude. About an hour from Sticklepath.

Saunton Sands Beach in North Devon. Vast low tide sand beach backing onto the stunning Braunton Burrows. Saunton Sands is super popular with surfers as is Croyde Beach just up the coast. Over an hour from Sticklepath.

Putsborough Sands Beach and Woolacombe Sands Beach in North Devon. Stunning sections of the same stretch of sand in North Devon. Putsborough to the south and Woolacombe to the north. Over an hour from Sticklepath.

Rock Beach and the Camel Estuary in North Cornwall. Glorious beaches line the Camel Estuary over an hour away from Sticklepath.

Constantine Bay Beach in North Cornwall. Massive low tide sand beach about 1 hour 15 minutes from Sticklepath.

St Ives Bay in West Cornwall. Beaches line one of the most beautiful bays in the UK. About 1 hour 30 mins from Sticklepath.

We travel to all these beaches on a regular basis for Picture the UK and the twenty site network we run for Devon/Cornwall. Please note that timings depend on traffic. For example, it can take hours to get down to St Ives if there's been an accident on the A30.

 

Exeter and the Exe Estuary from Sticklepath

Day trip to Exeter.

Visit Exeter Cathedral and Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) are superb. Take a tour of the unique Exeter's Underground Passages.

Drop down to Exeter's Historic Quayside and cycle the Exe Estuary Trail to discover the magnificent Exe Estuary.

 

South Devon and The English Riviera from Sticklepath

On sunny days, Salcombe and Dartmouth are among the finest coastal destinations in the UK.

The South Devon coastline is lined with stunning beaches. Try Bantham Beach, Bigbury-on-Sea Beach and the vast shingle beach at Slapton Sands.

Take a boat trip in The English Riviera.

See our sister site, Love South Devon, for ideas.

 

Mid Devon, North Devon and Exmoor from Sticklepath

Head north and north west to explore Mid Devon, North Devon and Exmoor National Park.

Visit RHS Garden Rosemoor in Mid Devon.

Experience the vast sand beaches that line the North Devon coast. Saunton Sands, Putsborough Sand and Woolacombe Sand are particularly impressive. These North Devon coast is known for its surfing and watersports.

Walk Exmoor's high moor and coastline. The South West Coast Path west of Lynton in particularly impressive.

Note that you can take boat trips to Lundy Island from Ilfracombe and Bideford.

 

Local towns and villages near Sticklepath

For towns try Chagford and Okehampton.

For villages we'd recommend Belstone and Lydford.