Summary
Situated at the northern edge of Dartmoor, Okehampton is a charming town constructed from local granite, which is also home to the remnants of a formidable castle.
The vestiges of Okehampton Castle, which date back over 500 years, continue to captivate visitors, much like they captivated artists such as J. M. W. Turner in the early 19th century.
The introduction of the Exeter to Plymouth railway line in the 1870s significantly boosted Okehampton’s growth, leading to the emergence of impressive Victorian structures, including the Meldon Viaduct (1874), built from cast and wrought iron.
Although the railway line was discontinued in the 1960s, a heritage service operates between Okehampton and Exeter each Sunday during the summer months.
Whereas the tracks have been removed, visitors can also walk or cycle along the Granite Way, an 11-mile trail that traverses the Meldon Viaduct and leads into the stunning Lydford Gorge.
1. Dartmoor
Located in the wild heart of Devon, Okehampton lies directly adjacent to Dartmoor National Park.
The uplands of Dartmoor comprise Carboniferous granite, formed over 300 million years ago, with rocky outcrops known as tors punctuating the moorland.
In lower regions, one can find blanket bogs and captivating oak woodlands nestled in sheltered valleys.
From near Okehampton, it is possible to hike to Dartmoor’s highest tor, the 621-meter High Willhays, and return within a few hours.
During your trek across the moors, you may encounter Dartmoor ponies, which roam freely as semi-feral inhabitants.
In spring, witnessing foals playing against this wild backdrop creates lasting memories.
Dartmoor has served as a firing range for over 200 years, with a substantial army training camp located at Okehampton.
Red flags indicate live firing exercises, and schedules are available in the Dartmoor Firing Notice.
2. Okehampton Castle
Okehampton Castle, perched on a slender rocky outcrop above the West Okement River, is a motte and bailey castle established by the Norman Sheriff of Devon, Baldwin FitzGilbert, during the late 11th century.
Initially designed for defense purposes to protect the river crossing, it was transformed into a comfortable hunting lodge in the late 1200s by the affluent Earls of Devon, the De Courtenays.
Following the execution of Henry Courtenay by Henry VIII for his Catholic affiliations in 1538, the castle experienced a decline.
Subsequently, J. M. W. Turner and other artists of the picturesque movement visited to paint the ruins, which are now preserved by English Heritage.
Despite five centuries of deterioration, many buildings within the bailey remain identifiable, including the Great Hall, kitchens, buttery, chapel, and priest’s lodgings, with the keep atop the motte still standing in weathered stone pillars.
English Heritage offers a complimentary audio tour detailing the history of the De Courtenays and Baldwin FitzGilbert.
3. Dartmoor Railway
Although Okehampton is no longer part of regular train services, it does lie on a preserved section of the London and South Western Railway’s western main line.
This line was decommissioned during the Beeching Cuts of the 1960s; however, each Sunday in summer, the Great Western Railway operates a train service.
The Dartmoor Sunday Rover travels through 15.5 miles of enchanting mid-Devon countryside between Exeter and Okehampton, winding around the northern slopes of Dartmoor.
Additionally, a Heritage Shuttle Service operates on weekends and Bank Holidays from Okehampton Station to Meldon, officially recognized as the highest railway station in southern England, showcasing the impressive Meldon Viaduct.
Refer to the Dartmoor Railway’s calendar for special afternoon tea services, a Peppa Pig train during school holidays, and murder mystery events.
4. Meldon Viaduct
Located just under ten minutes from Okehampton at Meldon Dam, visitors can park and embark on a journey to explore this remarkable industrial-era truss bridge.
The Meldon Viaduct (1874), which spans the West Okement River, was constructed from cast and wrought iron rather than traditional brick or stone, taking three years to complete.
This bridge had an axle load limit, permitting only certain classes of locomotives to cross.
The segment of the old Exeter to Plymouth Railway was decommissioned in the 1960s, and operations from the neighboring ballast quarry ceased in 1990. Recently, pedestrians have had the opportunity to traverse the 163-meter span of the Meldon Viaduct via the Granite Way path.
Visitors can also descend into the valley to appreciate the intricate designs of the trusses and piers from below.
5. Museum of Dartmoor Life
Set within a historic courtyard featuring a 19th-century mill and waterwheel, this venue allows visitors to engage with 5,000 years of human history on Dartmoor.
Exhibits showcase the appearance of a Bronze Age roundhouse, traditional cider pressing techniques, a glimpse into a Victorian kitchen, and historical crafts such as blacksmithing and wheelwrighting.
Informative displays also delve into Dartmoor’s geology and the ongoing quarrying industry.
All displays feature authentic artifacts, consisting of Bronze Age tools, agricultural implements, and rare early fire engines.
A delightful end to your exploration can be found at the Victorian Pantry Tearooms, which are located in the museum’s courtyard.
6. Finch Foundry
Acquired by the National Trust in 1994, Finch Foundry operates as a working 19th-century water-powered forge.
Situated in the picturesque countryside of Dartmoor, the foundry once produced over 400 tools daily, including scythes, sickles, and shovels for agricultural and mining purposes.
Every hour, visitors can witness demonstrations of the foundry’s operations, observing iron bars being shaped and cut by historical equipment such as tilt hammers and drop hammers, which continue to be powered by waterwheels.
The forge also features a tearoom serving delicious cream teas, set in an elegant garden overlooking the River Taw and the surrounding moors.
7. Yes Tor
The car park at Meldon Dam serves as an excellent starting point for invigorating hikes through Dartmoor, culminating in ascents of the highest granite tors within the range.
Yes Tor, at 619 meters, is accessible from Okehampton high ground, and the trek to the summit is relatively straightforward on a clear day, as it skirts Longstone Hill.
Throughout the hike, you will encounter numerous granite boulders, and you may not realize you are nearing the summit until you spot the trig point and radio mast.
Be aware that Yes Tor exists within an active firing range; therefore, it’s important to watch for red flags and consult the Dartmoor Firing Notice prior to hiking.
8. High Willhays
Upon conquering the second highest hill in Dartmoor, you may proceed to the highest, High Willhays, which stands at 621 meters.
At the summit, one will be positioned at the highest point in the UK south of Wales’s Brecon Beacons.
The ascent can be accomplished within a morning, allowing ample time to capture photographs of the enigmatic moorland landscapes or construct a cairn from the various granite stones scattered throughout the area.
9. Simmons Park
In 1905, businessman Sydney Simmons, who prospered through a patent for carpet cleaning, acquired a meadow and woodland adjacent to the East Okement River.
He financed landscaping, the creation of waterfalls and fountains, as well as the construction of a Swiss-style chalet, subsequently donating the entire park to the town.
Simmons Park was inaugurated in 1907, and its founder would undoubtedly recognize the park as it exists today.
In 1921, the local council obtained the adjacent Kempley Meadows, and the 81-year-old Simmons sponsored a recreational area, stipulating that local residents in need of employment carry out the work.
The park boasts various amenities including a pitch and putt lawn, a network of woodland paths, a bandstand, a rose garden commemorating Elizabeth II’s Golden Jubilee, a cricket pitch, the Parklands Leisure Centre (featuring a 25-meter pool and gym), and a wildlife reserve at Platt Meadow.
10. The Granite Way
The Meldon Viaduct is among the highlights of the relatively recent 11-mile trail stretching from Okehampton to Lydford.
Winding around the northwestern side of Dartmoor, the Granite Way is designed for both pedestrians and cyclists, primarily utilizing the trackbed of the former London and South Western Railway.
Visitors can pause at Meldon before continuing onward, passing the Sourton Tors.
In contrast to much of Dartmoor, these peaks are composed of hornfels, which formed when intensely heated granite intruded into Carboniferous mudstone.
Approaching the conclusion of the trail, visitors will find themselves beside the National Trust’s Lydford Gorge, the deepest gorge in the South West, adorned with mosses and ferns, and featuring a 30-meter waterfall at its summit.
11. Stone Lane Gardens
Within Dartmoor’s northern boundaries lies a cherished arboretum spanning five acres.
Stone Lane Gardens has been in development for over forty years, fostering national collections of alder and birch trees within its beautiful landscape.
This location is home to over 1,000 birch and alder trees, featuring exotic Asian species such as Alnus Japonica, black alder, Chinese red birch, and white Himalayan birch.
Each year, Stone Lane Gardens hosts the “Mythic Garden” sculpture exhibition, showcasing the works of West Country artists in this enchanting environment, a tradition that has continued for over 25 years.
The exhibitions contribute an element of whimsy to a stroll through the gardens.
12. Two Castles Trail
Okehampton Castle can mark the commencement of a 24-mile waymarked footpath leading peacefully to Launceston Castle in Cornwall.
For those with sufficient time, the walk is segmented into four stages, each designed for a full day.
The trail guides walkers through mature woodlands and across exposed moors and downs, once the site of ferocious battles, as they navigate with signage bearing the trail name in burgundy on a white background.
Your destination is Launceston Castle, which was constructed shortly after the Norman conquest of Exeter in 1068 by the nobleman Robert, Count of Mortain.
Although the castle was partially demolished following the Civil War in the mid-17th century, significant portions of the shale-built fortress remain intact, including the keep, the high tower, and the Norman motte.
13. Roadford Lake Country Park
This reservoir, filled in 1989, is nestled within the tranquil greenery of Wolf Valley.
The shores of Roadford Lake feature woodlands, orchards, and ancient pasturelands, all fostering rich wildlife.
During autumn, visitors can observe thousands of roosting lesser black-backed gulls, along with breeding species such as barn owls, great-crested grebes, coots, moorhens, and Canada geese.
Walking and cycling pathways meander around the reservoir, and visitors can stop by the activity center to explore the lake by paddleboard, canoe, or rent a boat for fishing.
Instruction is also available for those interested in learning to sail.
On solid ground, adventurous older children can enjoy a challenging high ropes course, while the popular Lakeside Cafe remains open year-round.
14. Meldon Reservoir
More than a mere stepping stone to High Willhays and Yes Tor, Meldon Reservoir is located in open moorland, nearly 300 meters above sea level.
At the north end by the car park, the Meldon Dam (1972) presents an impressive photographic opportunity, while provides an ideal spot for a picnic by the water on sunny days to observe anglers catching brown trout.
A trail encircles the majority of the lake, allowing visitors to enjoy views of grazing ponies in the fields along the route.
15. Sunday Market
Initiated as a community venture, the Sunday Market first took place in the summer of 2017, hosted in Okehampton’s Charter Hall from 10:00 to 14:00, running from June through August.
The market aims to bring together small-scale local food producers, artisans, retailers, antique vendors, and beverage makers.
As of 2019, the market features 24 stalls offering furniture, fresh produce, baked goods, handcrafted items, flowers, and a variety of arts and crafts.
Live music is often performed, and activities for children are typically included to ensure their entertainment.
During November and early December, “Festive Markets” also take place in preparation for Christmas.
