view of Haytor from Hound tor
Out and About on Dartmoor
trip to Dartmoor recharges the batteries and rejuve- nates the spirit. its craggy granite tors, deep wooded gorges and tumbling rivers provide a spectacular backdrop in which to relax and explore the largest and wild- est area of open country in southern england. with an area of more than 368 square miles there is an abundance of places to seek out. the quickest and easiest route from Dartmouth is through
A
Ashburton, one of Dartmoor’s gateway towns. Ashburton has built up a fine reputation as an antique buyers’ paradise. beautiful quilts and linens can be picked up at vintage emporium and great period fireplaces and furnishings at Adrian Ager. As well as antiques Ashburton is also becoming known as a foodie town – especially with the success of the award-winning Ashburton Cookery School. See
www.ashburtoncookeryschool.co.uk for information on more than 40 courses taught by top professional chefs. within a few minutes of Ashburton you are at the foot of the moor, amongst the luscious woodland surrounding the river Dart as it tumbles towards the sea at Dartmouth. there are some lovely accessible walks at newbridge and Spitch-
A lot of Dartmoor’s iconic tors can be seen from the road but to truly appreci- ate their glory you need to get up close and explore them.
Hound tor
wick Common – a great place for an outdoor swim too, although watch out for the daredevils jumping in off the cliffs! After the wooded banks of the Dart, the roads steepen as you climb towards the bleak but beautiful expanse of the high moor. A lot of Dartmoor’s iconic tors can be seen from the road but to truly appreciate their glory you need to get up close and explore them. A personal favourite is Hound tor, which is tucked away from the main roads but has an accessible car park that makes it easy for children and dog walking. A gradually increasing incline takes you up and over the tor where the views towards Haytor are stunning. in Hound tor car park the delightfully titled Hound of
the basket Meals van - a nod to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s Dartmoor-based yarn the Hound of the baskervilles - serves hot chocolate from real mugs. A proper treat at the end of a bracing walk.
Just on from Hound tor is the delightful widecombe-in- the-Moor, of widecombe Fayre and tom Cobley fame. the village’s Church of St Pancras is known as the Cathedral of the Moor and its majestic spire can be seen for miles around. widecombe-in-the-Moor is a great place for a cream tea, at the quirky Café on the green or the wayside Café at the bottom of the hill. the Old inn, which serves superb food and real ales, is in the centre of the village. Other pubs on Dartmoor serving good food and drink in-
clude the rock inn at Haytor vale, the Kestor inn at Manaton and, my favourite, the warren House inn at Postbridge. the warren inn arguably has the best beer garden in the country
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