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All you need to know
The small rural village of Belstone is well located for exploring the wild beauty of Dartmoor, as well as the picturesque countryside of North Devon.
Sitting on the northern boundary of Dartmoor National Park, Belstone is a small rural village that is extremely well located for exploring the nearby rugged moorland, as well as the stunning countryside of North Devon. Keen walkers will find that Belstone is a great base due to the many trails and walks available from the village.
The Tors Inn, in Belstone, is a highly regarded pub and restaurant serving good food and drink. The village is also renowned for its ancient stocks, medieval church and riding stables, and is only 2 miles from the A30 which offers easy access into Cornwall and the rest of the West Country.
The nearby town of Okehampton is home to some interesting shops, good pubs and restaurants and an outdoor activities centre. Okehampton is also the place to find the Dartmoor Railway, a unique dining experience where you can enjoy fine dining or afternoon tea while taking in the stunning local scenery by train.
Lydford Gorge National Trust is just a 20-minute drive away, and home to a spectacular river, woodland, and the deepest gorge in the South West with a 30 metre waterfall. The cathedral city of Exeter is a 30-minute drive in the other direction, offering excellent shopping and dining, and the underground passages that make for a fascinating all-weather activity.
High Willhays, the highest point on Dartmoor, is an easy morning walk from Belstone, and the area is well-known for letterboxing - where you search the many tors and ancient dwellings for small boxes containing a stamp and a visitor’s book to record your discovery. Cranmere Pool, where the oldest known letterbox (dating back to 1854) can be found, is a 6-mile walk from the village, so pack some sandwiches and a compass and get out exploring!
A holiday cottage in Belstone provides a tranquil base from which to explore the wild beauty of Dartmoor and picturesque North Devon countryside.
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Famed as the last working water powered forge in England, Finch Foundry gives an insight into Dartmoor’s industrial past. With three water wheels powering hammers, sheers and sharpening stone, this was the basis of one of the South West’s most successful factories in the 1800s, and in visiting there’s the opportunity to learn about the lives of the workers as well as the enterprising Finch family to which it belonged. Parking is free and there’s also a shop and tea room available.
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Brilliant. So interesting, we were early so took a walk around the village, small but very pretty. The guided tour was informative and full of detail. Well worth a visit.
October 2023
Great tour, very knowledgeable guide, extremely interesting and enjoyable. Recommended.
August 2022
Excellent tour.
May 2022
very good visit and informative.
September 2019
Interesting building with a volunteer giving a detailed talk. Pretty garden and tearoom too.
July 2019
One of the best-explained small National Trust sites we have ever visited. Unexpectedly charming, and really interesting. They managed to include this year's theme for the Trust - Women and Power .
October 2018
Life on Dartmoor might look like it’s all sheep farming and wild swimming, but the history of it is all encompassing. In an independent museum run by a charitable trust, the Museum of Dartmoor Life is a family friendly attraction detailing 5000 years of history in this magical and mystical part of the world. Open seasonally, they have a range of activities available for children, and collections showcasing Dartmoor trades, the local military, prison and transport, as well as a reconstructed Bronze Age hut.
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On a wooded spur above River Okement, Okehampton Castle is the remains of the largest castle in Devon, one that was built soon after the Norman Conquest as a motte and bailey castle. In the 14th century it became a rather more luxurious residence to Hugh Courtenay, the Earl of Devon, but when he fell out of favour with Henry VIII, the castle fell to ruin, and the result is what you see today. When you visit, it’s a chance to picnic in the grounds and walk through the woodlands nearby, taking in the scenery and the history, perhaps with the aid of an audio tour to bring it all to life. Okehampton Castle is open seasonally so do check the website for further details.
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Impressive and very sizeable castle Interesting audio guide (ok for kids too above say age 7)
November 2019
Charming Par 68 Parkland Course in the heart of Devon Founded in 1913, members, friends and guests have played golf here for over a hundred years and whilst much may have changed, visitors to Okehampton can always be assured of a warm welcome.
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Enjoy 18 holes discounted to £20 with your Toad Hall Cottages Discount Card
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An enchanting 5-acre woodland garden on the edge of the Dartmoor famous for National Collections of Birch trees and Alder trees and the annual ‘Mythic Garden’ sculpture exhibition.
Stone Lane Gardens Chagford TQ13 8JU (T: 01647 231311)
Enjoyable excursion if you're in the area and worth an hour of your time if you enjoy looking at some interesting art pieces. The sculpture element is complimented by the woodland aspect and vice-versa and make this a more unique attraction.
October 2018
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A much loved traditional Dartmoor pub in the tiny village of Belstone surrounded by stunning moorland scenery. Treat yourself to one of their famous Sunday roasts or something from the home cooked menu brimming with locally sourced meat, fish and vegetables. Sit outside in the warmer months enjoying the beautiful views over the moor, or if the weather dictates there are a few tables indoors but booking is essential.
Awarded Best Pub in Devon 2022/2023 by “FoodDrinkDevon"
The Tors Inn, Belstone, Dartmoor EX20 1QZ (T: 01837 840689)
Nice to be able to stroll along the common for a drink on a evening
June 2023
Excellent, unpretentious pub serving local beers. Friendly staff. Food good. Can get busy even midweek so worth reserving a table for dinner. You can also sit outside for a fantastic view of the moor although restricted menu.
May 2023
Really welcoming and good pub food
February 2023
Staff were so helpful and friendly, and went above and beyond to cater for our dietary requirements. We phoned at lunchtime to book a table for that evening and when we arrived, they had seen that we were vegan and created another dish especially for us. We also enjoyed their 'Dartmoor Stormy' while taking in the lovely views. Highly recommend!
August 2022
Awesome place. Great food great service. Such friendly people from the owner to the manageress to every one of the staff. Great atmosphere in an awesome location. Cant wait to go back
August 2022
Excellent place for meal or just a drink.
April 2022
Fantastic Sunday lunch, friendly staff and a great location - which we lived nearer!
December 2021
We brought the kids, dog and a Grandma and we had the best burgers ever. Great setting. Friendly staff.
September 2021
Lovely pub with very welcoming and friendly staff. Wish there was a man like Richard working in every pub he was amazing !!! Very attentive with a lovely personality. The food was delicious and well priced and good sized portions. 5* pub . Compliments to the owners , chef and waitresses.
October 2020
Lovely village pub... beautiful Sunday roast, all sourced locally. Great beer and wine too ! Friendly staff, can't recommend highly enough
October 2020
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A friendly, atmospheric village pub and restaurant serving good home cooked food and real ales.
Taw River Inn, Sticklepath, Devon, EX20 2NW – (T: 01837 840 377)
Lovely, traditional pub with a large menu. Very welcoming and the food was good.
August 2022
A huge menu, friendly atmosphere, and be prepared to wait a while. Tremendous value for money.
May 2022
Very friendly pub providing good quality food from a huge menu choice, yet price for food and drink is exceptionally low. You may have to wait a while, but it’s worth it!
May 2022
Lovely welcoming pub for meal or drink
April 2022
Friendly pub allowing pets. Good wholesome food
October 2020
Very friendly with good value for money on food .
August 2020
Have eaten here several times, good lively village pub .
December 2019
had a meal on 2 nights here and the last night we waited for 1 hour. not very good to wait that long, although the staff did tell us there would be a "bit of a wait" did not expect that long a wait.
September 2019
Attractive country pub, selling very reasonably priced and good quality home cooked food. Good beers too.
July 2019
Amazing pub, choice of food was immense. Staff friendly great atmosphere. Gold valve for money
June 2019
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A stunning 12th century former monastery and manor house now a popular hotel, bar and restaurant. There are plenty of places to eat and drink with a choice of two bars and two restaurants along with a large terrace and garden with fantastic views. Choose from a lunch or evening menu with daily specials along with coffees and afternoon cream teas.
The Oxenham Arms South Zeal, Okehampton EX20 2JT (T: 01837 840244)
Fantastic meal; attentive service and full of character. Highly recommended.
August 2022
A welcoming, contemporary restaurant open for breakfast, lunch and dinner with menus full of good quality locally sourced ingredients.
Two Rivers Restaurant 16 Fore Street, Okehampton EX20 1AN (T: 01837 52981)
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High quality Indian food to eat in or takeaway served by friendly staff. Unlicenced but guests are welcome to bring their own alcohol.
Ma’ida Indian Restaurant 37 Fore St, Okehampton EX20 (T: 01837 318030)
Delicious takeaway, and delivered to our holiday accommodation.
December 2021
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Sitting at the mouth of the River Teign, Teignmouth is a traditional British seaside resort with a wide sandy beach backed by Georgian houses and a Victorian pier with amusement arcades and cafes. The main beach, known as Town Beach, offers acres of sand to play on and sunbathe and if the mood takes you the safe waters are perfect for taking a dip. The sheltered estuary is popular with kayakers and paddle boarders, and the award winning clean waters are home to plenty of sealife with dolphins spotted occaisionally offshore. No dogs 1st May – 30th September.
Lovely long beach which is excellent for dog-walking. Parking not the cheapest though
March 2023
This family friendly Blue Flag beach is the perfect spot for some traditional seaside fun. The mile and a half long sandy beach with award winning clean waters is backed by sheltered sand dunes and grassland, home to over 600 types of flowering plants and a host of interesting birdlife. If watersports are your thing you can have a go at surfing or body boarding under the watchful eye of the RNLI lifeguards, or enjoy the many family friendly amusements and rides. The beach is easily accessible with plenty of parking, toilets and a choice of restaurants, cafes and bars plus deck chair hire. Dogs welcome all year round in designated areas.
A good choice for families, Instow is a pleasant sandy beach with safe swimming protected from swell by sandbanks at the mouth of the Taw estuary. There’s plenty to do including kayaking and windsurfing and lots of space for children to play. There are some good café’s to choose from, and the beach is easily accessible with a car park and toilets. Dogs allowed October to April.
Bucks Mills beach is situated in a rocky secluded cove at the bottom end of the ancient fishing village of Bucks Mills. No public toilets, no shops or other facilities, just a lovely place. Car parking is available at Bucks Mills car park EX39 5DY.
Exmouth Beach is a bustling two mile stretch of golden sand at the mouth of the Exe Estuary backed by a promenade of shops and restaurants. Old meets new here, with traditional seaside donkey rides, swing boats and crazy golf alongside volley ball courts and a huge selection of modern watersports including jet skis, kite surfing, kayaking, paddle boarding and windsurfing.
If you’re looking for some peace and quiet you can find that here too at the far end of the beach, where there are also some rock pools for children to explore. Exmouth is known as the gateway to the Jurassic Coast and its cliffs are teaming with fossils and geological finds. The coastline is also part of the South West Coast Path with the beach and surrounding cliffs providing some excellent long and short walks.
Dogs are welcome all year on parts of the beach and on the main beach from October to the end of April. Dog bins are provided.