DISCOVER & EXPLORE
A getaway retreat at Elvan Farm, makes for a great base from which to explore the beauty that Dartmoor has to offer, as well as the charming villages nearby. Providing you with everything you need for a relaxing break and a chance to rejuvenate.
There are plenty of glorious walks and sights to explore, various cycle tracks and even a chance for a spot of wild swimming in the most stunning location. We are spoilt with a choice of cosy, traditional country pubs, all within a short walking distance.
No matter how you spend your break, you will come away feeling refreshed, with wonderful memories to share with your loved ones
Where to Eat
The Kings Arms
South Zeal
A traditional country pub, set on the edge of Dartmoor, serving a variety of local ales and ciders along with, locally sourced, homemade meals. You can either choose from the seasonal menu of traditional pub favourites, or select something from the special board, if you fancy something a bit different.
A welcoming beer garden to enjoy a chilled beverage in the summer sun or the choice to dine in, in the newly refurbed dining room.
The Kings host a variety of events, including comedy & quiz nights, live music and folk evenings.
The Taw River
Sticklepath
A family run, charming country pub, store & café, creating and selling homemade and local produce in the Dartmoor village of Sticklepath.
A traditional village pub with an attractive beer garden at the back and outdoor seating at the front. There is no better spot to enjoy your favourite tipple.
A wonderful menu on offer, with fabulous, homemade meals, you will be spoilt for choice.
The Sticklepath Stores is a real gem, a shop and café all in one, providing all the essentials you need. Wonderful fresh bread, fruit and veg daily as well as homemade pies, lasagnes and curries ready for you to take away and heat up at home.
Not forgetting, the most delicious homemade cakes, you will not be able to resist.
Fingle Bridge
Drewsteignton
A family run pub set in the most beautiful location, along the bank of the River Teign. Enjoy a beautiful scenic walk through the woods and take a break next to the river for the most wonderful picnic setting.
For those who wish to combine a day out in the countryside with a really good pub meal, The Fingle Bridge Inn is the venue of your dreams. Choose from the cosy bar, restaurant or river terrace, to sit and relax, all whilst enjoying the tranquil and beautiful scenery.
The relaxing atmosphere and idyllic views, go hand in hand with the fine selection of locally brewed ales and home cooked meals.
After a refreshing walk, why not treat yourself to a wonderful, Devonshire Cream Tea or Sunday Carvery.
What to do
We’re located in the heart of Dartmoor, a national park of outstanding beauty, offering endless places to explore by walking or hiking. With our knowledge of Dartmoor, we can suggest some wonderful places to discover, flasks and picnics can be provided on request, gearing you up for a wonderful day of exploring.
Choose from a walk out of the gate or take a short drive to various beauty spots, either way, you will not be disappointed.
The Dartmoor Way
The Dartmoor Way is a waymarked 108-mile (173km) long circular route around Dartmoor.
This new way travels along quiet footpaths, bridleways and little-used byways passing through many of the attractive towns and villages that nestle on the edge of Dartmoor, offering a wide variety of places to see and visit.
The route explores wooded valleys; sparkling streams that tumble off the moor; deep drove-roads and bridleways used for generations by farmers and travellers.
The route can be enjoyed all year round from the freshness and colours of Spring, through the glories of high Summer and wonderful colours of Autumn, to the stark beauty of Winter.
The Mariners Way
Tradition has it, that for centuries there has been an ancient trackway which runs from Bideford in North Devon and Dartmouth in South Devon. The purpose of this route was for sailors to travel between the two ports when transferring from one ship to sail on another, hence the name – The Mariner’s Way.
This old route is thought to have passed down the eastern flank of Dartmoor in a virtually straight line between Bideford and Dartmouth with the odd deviation that avoided crossing the North Moor and the huge dome of Hambledon. Groves (1977, p.194) that after leaving Bideford the route went via; the Torridge valley, Great Torrington, South Zeal, Throwleigh, Gidleigh, Hurston, Jurston, Widecombe, the Dart Valley, Ashburton, Totnes and finally ending up at Dartmouth. It is agreed, that the Mariner’s Way: ‘was not a trackway existing in its own right but simply a route which used roads and lanes where possible and elsewhere picked out a way across fields‘.
Shilley Pool
In recent years, wild swimming has become an exceptionally popular outdoor activity on Dartmoor. Whilst well known Dartmoor rivers such as the Dart and Teign attract large numbers of swimmers, people are increasingly enjoying the pools and channels on lesser known rivers, brooks and streams. Shilley Pool is a firm favourite for many and is a beautiful picnic location too.
Blackaton Brook rises at Raybarrow Pool on the flank of Dartmoor's north moor. It tumbles down the side of Kennon Hill and then flows slowly across a flat section of Throwleigh Common until it drops into a beautiful, steep sided wooded valley where moor meets rolling countryside and farmland. Shilley Pool is situated on this boundary.
Proper Dartmoor Tours
Let Tich your tour guide take you on a journey past farmsteads and field’s unaffected by time and learn about farming through the decades.
Sit back and relax as you are driven across open moorland, down Dart,oor’s many narrow lanes passing through hidden hamlets enjoying landscapes and breath-taking vistas.
Hear about The Famous Dartmoor Ponies which roam freely in their wild state over the rugged landscapes and many tor’s – in all weathers alongside cattle and sheep. Great photo opportunities as well as outstanding local knowledge.
Bespoke tailored tours to suit your interests for a full day of exploration, with a stop at a proper Dartmoor pub to enjoy a spot of lunch. Booking prior to your stay is necessary.
Walks with Winnie
In Walks with Winnie, Winnie, the Working Cocker Spaniel and now Scooby, a rescued Fox Red Lab, guide us through twelve beautiful walks in and around North Dartmoor, Devon.
Taking picturesque paths through bluebell woods, over and around abundant rivers and reservoirs, walking up on to breathtaking open moorland, and visiting Dartmoor’s many tors, including High Willhays the highest tor on Dartmoor.
A beautifully illustrated book with a selection of 12 wonderful walks on Dartmoor. Each page has a map for your reference, route descriptions and useful knowledge plus fabulous photography to leave you feeling inspired.
We have a copy of Walks with Winnie in our hut for you to enjoy, or if you wish, you can purchase them from our local village shop. 50p from each sale will be donated to The Labrador Rescue Trust.
Enjoy a Devonshire Cream Tea
Why not treat yourselves to a wonderful, Devonshire Cream Tea, a perfect thing to enjoy after an afternoon of exploring.
Warm home-made scones, a generous dollop of jam, and a spoonful of local Clotted Cream make the perfect afternoon treat, in whatever order you choose to apply them!
To enjoy this delight, I would highly recommend visiting the following places, The Mill End, The Three Crowns at Chagford & Strawberry Fields at Lifton. Booking is advisable.
What to see
Dartmoor at its best
Along with the ponies, one of Dartmoor’s most iconic sights is its tors. The national park has more than 160 tors; dramatic outcrops of granite, usually standing on top of a hill. Each tor has its own unique and distinct formation
Many tors have inspired Dartmoor folklore, their striking appearance firing the imagination of storytellers and the moor’s residents for centuries. Others have become places of worship, burial and rituals. In modern times, tors inspire walkers to climb Dartmoor’s most arduous peaks, hunting for the best views of the national park’s stunning landscape.
As well as these wonderful Tors, there are so many other things to see and explore, for instance, stone/hut circles, parish boundary stones, letterboxing, the list goes on.
Having worked and manged Dartmoor for so many years, Steve has excellent knowledge of its landscape and would be more than happy to point you in the right direction for the best places to explore.
Moor Otter Trail
Moor Otters is a feel-good public arts project that gathers up young and old for an amazing journey of learning and discovery, creating stories and making memories.
81 stunning sculptures of otters with cubs - all designed and decorated by local and national artists - have been released onto Dartmoor to create four arts trails, standing tall on plinths waiting to be spotted. There will also be a Mayflower trail in Plymouth and several otters in gateway towns and villages.
At the end of the summer ‘otter-spotters’ as well as art collectors and individuals, will have the opportunity to give their favourite Otter a new home when they are auctioned to raise funds for vital conservation and access projects in the National Park.
A trail map is now available.