West Devon

West Devon, from the majestic beauty of the high tors of Dartmoor, to Norman castles, to bustling friendly market towns, to following the River Tamar, or cycling the Granite Way, some suggestions for places to see and things to do.

Dartmoor. Explore the wide open spaces of the high tors, the edges of the Moor dotted with villages with thatched cottages, rivers such as the Dart and Teign tumbling to the sea.

River Tamar. Fancy a pleasure boat trip? Take a cruise from the Barbican into Plymouth Sound and tides permitting up the upper reaches of the tidal River Tamar past the Devonport Royal Dockyards, with its frigates and nuclear submarines. Inland the river is crossed by several ancient stone arch bridges such as Greystone shown here.

Explore the Granite Way Granite Way. Part of the Devon Coast to Coast. A nice mainly off road Cycling in Devon ride along a disused railway line, around the northern slopes of Dartmoor. Take great care when crossing trafficked roads.

Nice Walks Climb to the top of Brentor for, on a clear day, fine views for miles around. The tiny church of St Michael de Rupe sitting on top of a plug of granite rock. Though difficult to see from the ground, the hill is in fact guarded by the remains of an iron age rampart on its south west flank. The church itself is believed to date from the 12th century. Then visit Lydford Gorge.

Finch Foundry Museum. Sticklepath near Okehampton. Fascinating 19th-century water-powered forge in working order. From 1814 to 1960 produced edge tools, from hay and manure forks to shovels-cornish, clay and wing turf them, for agriculture and mining in the South West.

Morwellham Quay though derelict and abandoned for over a century is now restored - an award winning visitor attraction on the Tamar. Given the so peaceful and tranquil spot it is today it is hard to imagine it was once the "Greatest Copper Port in Queen Victoria’s Empire" -

Castles. Explore Lydford Castle dating from the 11th century, an imposing now roofless three story tower atop a grassy motte. Surrounded on one side by trees and with the parish church, awash with bluebells in spring next door. Okehampton Castle -imposing ruins dominating the West Okement river valley on the western edge of Dartmoor, a mile from the town centre.

Plymouth. Take a day trip to this historic city. Explore the historic Barbican. Admire the views over the Sound from the Hoe. See a show at the Theatre Royal or the Pavilions. Visit the National Marine Aquarium be mesmerized by the Shark Wall.

Tavistock On the western slopes of Dartmoor a delightful and friendly market town in West Devon. Its recorded history until recent times shaped firstly; by the presence of an Abbey, and then by the influence of the Dukes of Bedford.

Okehampton Nestling in the foothills of the northen slopes of Dartmoor, the East and West Okement Rivers, rushing through steep often wooded valleys, on their way to the sea. Popular with walkers and cyclists for its closeness to both the high peaks of the northern edge of Dartmoor, such as High Willhays and Yes Tor, and for largely off road cycling trials such as the Granite Way.