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Author: Richard Burrow
5 Dartmoor walks you can’t miss
Myths, Legends, Ponies and Folk-Law – intrigued? Then keep reading…
Dartmoor is 954 square kilometres of stunning National Park, unusual rugged terrain, lots of unanswered questions and some of the cleanest air in the country. Below you’ll find 5 of our must-visit spots to explore on foot!
WISTMAN’S WOOD
Wistman’s Wood is an intriguing patch of Dartmoor woodland, famed for its carpet of mosses and lichens that festoon the trees and the giant granite boulders. Not everything at Wistman’s Wood is giant though, the woodland is home to an unusual copse of dwarf oak trees – there are many theories on why the trees are dwarfed – ranging from witchcraft to the unique weather climate around them. One thing’s for sure though, Wistman’s Wood is eerily atmospheric and well worth a visit.
MELDON RESERVOIR
Arguably one of Dartmoor’s best kept secrets, Meldon Reservoir is nestled on the Northern edge of the National Park and is approximately 10 minutes from Westdown Farm by car. With miles of public footpaths and bridleways, you can lose hours of your day exploring and taking in breathtaking scenery. If you fancy a spot of wild swimming, a dip in the nearby river pools offer a refreshing way to cool down after a long day of exploring!
SCORHILL STONE CIRCLE, GIDLEIGH
Nestled a few miles outside of Chagford, Scorhill Stone Circle is another place steeped in history and mystery. Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the circle is recognised as a scheduled monument and is described as Devon’s finest stone circle. When and how it appeared will always be a mystery. But one thing’s for sure, and that is that when you’re in the area you really must pay it a visit.
HOUND TOR AND THE DESERTED MEDIAEVAL VILLAGE
Owned by English heritage, the remains of this isolated settlement are located on the eastern edge of Dartmoor, between two granite masses, Hound Tor and Greater Rocks. The village, which was abandoned in the 1960s and consists of a cluster of traditional houses which were believed to date from the 13th century.
BRENTOR CHURCH
Unusually for a Tor, this one is not a mass of granite, but instead is formed from 350 million year old basaltic lava! But perhaps more unusual, this Tor has a church on top of it. It is rumoured that Brentor Church was built by a group of former Pagan Satan Worshipers who later found God and devoted the rest of their lives to building a church on the top of Brentor to be seen by people from miles around.
Tempted to visit us but still not sure?
How about seeing out the day next to a roaring outdoor log fire at Westdown Farm, whilst the little ones sleep off a fun-filled day out. We promise, we aren’t making any of this up, our corner of England really is as great as we say it is! The best place to come to relax and unwind.
Exploring the area
Westdown Farm occupies an enviable location, in between the historic market town of Hatherleigh and the larger town and northern gateway to Dartmoor, Okehampton. Both towns have an awful lot going for them but we’ve summarised why we think they’re great here.
Activities for the whole family
It’s time to get excited, West Devon has a lot to offer!
We might be a little biassed, but we think that Westdown Farm has one of the best locations for families of explorers in the whole of the Southwest.
We’re 20 minutes from the North Coast, and less than 10 minutes from the Dartmoor National Park, whether you’re looking for a theme park, a beach, a wild and windy tor to climb, or a horse to jump on the back of – you’ll find it all within easy reach of our idyllic slice of Devon.
Pack a picnic in the car
Rivers, beaches, tors and woodland – if you fancy packing up a picnic you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to finding an idyllic spot.
West Devon and North Cornwall aren’t designated as areas of outstanding natural beauty for no reason! In this article, we’ve compiled a list our favourite spots to enjoy a bite to eat in the great outdoors.
FINGLE BRIDGE, DARTMOOR
Fingle Bridge is a stunningly pretty spot, with miles of footpaths which run through the ancient woodland and along the side of a beautifully clean river. Sit on the banks, dip your toes and enjoy how crystal clear the water is!
INSTOW, NORTH DEVON
One of the jewels in the crown for North Devon, Instow is a picture postcard former fishing village with an incredible beach. Boasting miles of fine white sand and calm waters to dip your toes in, Instow has captured the hearts of everybody who has been lucky enough to visit and is a firm favourite of ours.
MEETH QUARRY NATURE RESERVE, DEVON WILDLIFE TRUST
DWT (Devon Wildlife Trust) acquired the disused clay quarry in Meeth, only four miles north of Westdown Farm Wild Campsite and have since turned it into a nature reserve which is now bursting at the seams with native wildlife. Grab a pair of binoculars for bird watching and keep an eye out for creepy crawlies!
SUMMERLEAZE BEACH, BUDE
If you can imagine a British seaside holiday, you’ll have a good idea of what to expect in Bude, a sandy beach, an outdoor salt water lido and plenty of places to sit and enjoy the surroundings. Roughly half an hour from Westdown Farm by car, Bude is within easy reach for a day out.
MELDON RESERVOIR
Arguably one of Dartmoor’s best kept secrets, Meldon Reservoir is nestled on the Northern edge of the National Park and is approximately 10 minutes from Westdown Farm by car. With miles of public footpaths and bridleways, you can lose hours of your day exploring and taking in breathtaking scenery. If you fancy a spot of wild swimming, a dip in the nearby river pools offer a refreshing way to cool down after a long day of exploring!
SCORHILL STONE CIRCLE, GIDLEIGH
Nestled a few miles outside of Chagford, Scorhill Stone Circle is another place steeped in history and mystery. Set in an area of outstanding natural beauty, the circle is recognised as a scheduled monument and is described as Devon’s finest stone circle. When and how it appeared will always be a mystery. But one thing’s for sure, and that is that when you’re in the area you really must pay it a visit.
Tempted to visit us but still not sure?
How about seeing out the day next to a roaring outdoor log fire at Westdown Farm, whilst the little ones sleep off a fun-filled day out. We promise, we aren’t making any of this up, our corner of England really is as great as we say it is! The best place to come to relax and unwind.
Delicious take away pizza
Enjoy a delicious handmade pizza cooked in a wood fired oven from the Exe Valley pizza company van. Available to order to from Rachel in the take away van every Wednesday from the Hatherleigh Community Centre car park between 5-8pm.
Pre-orders recommended – 07402 147335. For menu see their website: exevalleypizza.co
Our Favourite Foodie Destinations
From pub grub to fine dining, from beach shacks to cosy cafes, we’re here to tell you about the best in the West!
Being a stone’s throw from the coast and nestled in the epicentre of Ruby Country, it’s no surprise that Devon offers some of the best food produce in the country. In this article, we’ll talk a little bit about our favourite foodie destinations!
THE TALLY HO!, HATHERLEIGH
Our local, The Tally Ho! Inn is 1.5 miles from Westdown and offers a traditional Devon pub experience. Proper, hearty pub-grub, local ales brewed on site and a sunny beer garden to the rear. It’s no surprise that The Tally is a firm local favourite for us and our guests.
THE GEORGE INN, HATHERLEIGH
If you’re not looking to drive far, The George Inn is 1.5 miles from our front gate. Originally a C14 coaching Inn, The George was substantially rebuilt in recent years following a fire and now offers a smart gastro-pub interior and quality food and drink behind a traditional thatched facade.
ONE MARKET STREET CAFE, HATHERLEIGH
If you’re visiting us by cycle, One Market Street Cafe should gain itself two big ticks. Not only is it a great spot for a light lunch, it’s just off of National Cycle Route 27 and less than two miles from Westdown Farm.
3 EAST STREET, OKEHAMPTON
Another jewel to Okehampton’s crown, independently owned 3 East Street offers fantastic middle-eastern and vegan cuisine. Perfect for an exotic staycation meal!
THE DUKE OF YORK, IDDESLEIGH
Untouched and unspoilt by time, The Duke has had several claims to fame in its time. Being one of the main inspirations for global bestselling author, Michael Morpurgo’s novel War Horse, the historic Inn was referred to heavily in the book as well as the film adaptation by Steven Spielberg.
ROSIE’S CAFE, CROOKLETS, BUDE
Just off the edge of Crooklets beach in Bude, Rosie’s is a favourite for all the family for an informal stack of syrupy pancakes, an all day brekkie or of course a traditional cornish pasty!
THE DARTMOOR INN, LYDFORD
Landlords Tess and Jay have taken a run-down pub on the edge of Dartmoor and turned it into one of the Westcountry’s number 1 food destinations. The Dartmoor Inn now offers so much more than ‘pub grub’, it would be criminal not to sample their award winning flavour combinations yourself! If headed this way, perhaps pack a pair of wellies and pay a visit to Cholwell Farm Riding Stables to experience Dartmoor National Park on horseback.
THE TORS, BELSTONE
After a blustery walk on Dartmoor, The Tors Inn is the perfect destination to hunker down in front of a fire and fill your belly. Sat right in the heart of beautifully unspoilt Belstone, you’ll be sure to come across some of the most breathtaking scenery that this region has to offer.
THE KINGS ARMS, WINKLEIGH
The King’s Arms is situated 6 miles from Westdown and has gained numerous awards for their food and drink. In our opinion, if you’re looking for a good, old-fashioned, family friendly pub grub, The King’s is a tough act to beat. Oh, and they do great cider to boot!
THE BAY VIEW INN, WIDEMOUTH
If you’re at Widemouth Bay for a surf, there’s nowhere better to fill your belly afterwards than at the Bay View. Offering a well-executed menu of traditionally inspired dishes using only the freshest local produce, The Bay View is a smart and comfortable food destination with some of the best uninterrupted views that the North Coast has to offer.
BERTO’S ITALIAN, MORETONHAMPSTEAD
What would you not expect to find in deepest, darkest Devon? Perhaps an authentic and eclectic independently owned Italian restaurant? Berto’s is a firm favourite of ours for a number of reasons – not only is the food fantastic, their team in Moretonhampstead offer an unrivalled atmosphere and better yet, free of charge corkage; meaning you can take your own wine. Win win!
Tempted to visit us but still not sure?
How about seeing out the day next to a roaring outdoor log fire at Westdown Farm, whilst the little ones sleep off a fun-filled day out. We promise, we aren’t making any of this up, our corner of England really is as great as we say it is! The best place to come to relax and unwind.
Activities for a rainy day
Here at Westdown Farm, we don’t let a damp day dampen our spirits – and here’s why!
Although famed for the great outdoors, there are plenty of fantastic destinations which will keep you dry and out of the rain. Devon and Cornwall are blessed with some amazing indoor attractions which we hope you’ll love as much as we do!
Get indoors!
Below you’ll find a list of our favourite things to do and places to go when the weather decides to throw a spanner in the works.
MERLIN CINEMA, OKEHAMPTON
A ten minute drive will take you into Okehampton, where you will find Merlin Cinema, a cosy destination to sit back and enjoy all the latest blockbusters!
TENPIN BOWLING, EXETER
Who doesn’t love bowling? Tenpin is situated in Exeter, Devon’s capital city – a short drive up the A30!
THE SPLASH, BUDE
Here with the family? Why not head down to Bude and pay a visit to The Splash – a super fun indoor swimming pool with wave machines and water slides!
iBOUNCE, EXETER
Did you know that Devon plays host to the region’s premier indoor trampolining centre? We did, and we love it! There’s also a soft play for the little ones – fun for all the family is to be had at iBounce.
MUSEUM OF DARTMOOR LIFE, OKEHAMPTON
If you want to explore some of our local heritage and see how people existed on Dartmoor all those years ago, then you’ll only have a 10 minute drive to find out the answer. You’ll find The Museum of Dartmoor Life right in the centre of Okehampton.
TAVISTOCK PANNIER MARKET, TAVISTOCK
If you’re looking to sample some locally made treats and find out about our local makers, then look no further. Tavistock Market is a hive of antiques, crafts and local produce – and better still, it’s all under cover so you won’t have to worry about the rain.
NATIONAL MARINE AQUARIUM, PLYMOUTH
Perhaps a little further afield but still within an hour of Westdown, Plymouth aquarium has some wonderful specimens and exhibits from across the glove. With tunnels passing underneath the tanks, you’ll have ample opportunities to get up close and personal with some spectacular sea life.
ROYAL ALBERT MEMORIAL MUSEUM, EXETER
Exeter’s Royal Albert Memorial Museum honestly wouldn’t be out of place in London. The building itself is a magnificent gothic structure and what’s more, it’s home to some amazing animal specimens and art collections.
Tempted to visit us but still not sure?
How about seeing out the day next to a roaring outdoor log fire at Westdown Farm, whilst the little ones sleep off a fun-filled day out. We promise, we aren’t making any of this up, our corner of England really is as great as we say it is! The best place to come to relax and unwind.
Farmer Dick’s Camping Weekender 2022
Westdown Farm presents for the 3rd year running ‘Farmer Dick’s Camping Weekender’ – enjoy live music in on the farm, as well as horse riding and kayaking – fun for all ages.
New Eco Composting Loos
We’ve been busy building more eco composting loos for our campers to use. Take a look at how we build them and the fun we had during the process.