We were joined by Tiny and Rudi and their daughter Sophie in February. They came over from the Netherlands for a three-day visit.
(The background to this visit is that Sophie had previously joined us in Mongolia. She mentioned that she would dearly love for her parents to experience Mongolia – it had made a huge impact on her and it was something she would like to share with them. However, her parents had never been on such a big trip and especially to somewhere as wild as Mongolia. So. We opted for stepping stones – small steps leading eventually to the Mongolia experience with Dartmoor National Park being one of those stepping stones. After all, the wide-open spaces of Dartmoor challenge and inspire in the same way that the wide-open spaces of Mongolia can. I love both in equal measure.)
We spent 2 and a half days hiking and exploring north Dartmoor. Using YHA Okehampton as a base, we spent half a day exploring Okehampton Castle and the wooded valley that surrounds it, a full-day completing a circular walk of Dartmoor’s highest points including Yes Tor and High Willhays and then another circular walk taking in Cosdon Beacon, the Taw River and the beautiful village of Belstone. (When in Devon then you just have to experience a Devon Cream Tea. That meant a trip to the Belstone Old School Tea Room where we just had to sample the homemade scones and cakes.
‘The view from Cosdon is of great extend and variety. On one hand the solitary moor, with its hills rising bleak and bare; on the other a vast panorama of wood and field happily intermingled.’ Willam Crossing, Crossings Guide To Dartmoor
- YHA Okehampton Bracken Tor House. Bracken Tor is an Arts and Crafts style lodge set in woodland on the northern edge of Dartmoor National Park in the market town of Okehampton. Bracken Tor offers affordable en-suite private and dorm rooms in a fabulous location – just put on your walking boots and head out the door.
- The locally owned Fountain Inn, Okehampton with its old charm and warm welcome.
- Two Rivers Restaurant – a local contemporary restaurant found in Okehampton’s town centre working in partnership with A.L Martin – Okehampton’s butcher. Ten out of ten to them for allowing us in straight off the Moor – windswept, slightly damp and not dressed for Saturday night dining. Two Rivers closed prior to the pandemic but the excellent Brothers has taken its space.
- The Tors, Belstone – A great local informal pub where you can fuel up before continuing on your walk. (Yes, Belstone village has car parking spaces. However, ditch the car and include it on a circular walk starting from Okehampton.)
- Belstone Old School Tearooms. with its lovely restoration of the old schoolroom at Belstone Chapel. The owner also has a great range of knitted tea cosies.
