Sightseeing
As well as enjoying the countryside and magnificent views there are lots of things to do and see in the local area. Here a a few suggestions.
Quirky, inexpensive and informative museum covering the history of the prison, notable incidents and some insight into the current service
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Dartmoor Prison Museum
Quirky, inexpensive and informative museum covering the history of the prison, notable incidents and some insight into the current service
Provides a good introduction to Dartmoor’s history and environment. Guides, maps and quality souvenirs for sale. Often hosts local art and photography exhibitions. Helpful staff can advise on local activities.
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National Park Visitor Centre - Princetown
Tavistock RoadProvides a good introduction to Dartmoor’s history and environment. Guides, maps and quality souvenirs for sale. Often hosts local art and photography exhibitions. Helpful staff can advise on local activities.
Long abandoned granite quarry with wonderful long distance views. Wild swimming for the adventurous. Don’t be surprised to find Royal Marine Commandos training on the sheer quarry faces. Great spot for the keen photographer. 10 minute level walk down track from the Barn.
Foggintor Quarry
B3212Long abandoned granite quarry with wonderful long distance views. Wild swimming for the adventurous. Don’t be surprised to find Royal Marine Commandos training on the sheer quarry faces. Great spot for the keen photographer. 10 minute level walk down track from the Barn.
National Trust scenic spot. In peak season visit early to avoid the crowds
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Lydford Gorge Tea Rooms
1 SouthgateNational Trust scenic spot. In peak season visit early to avoid the crowds
National Trust property and former home of Sir Francis Drake
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Buckland Abbey
National Trust property and former home of Sir Francis Drake
Bronze Age settlement and complex of ritual sites, including stone rows, a stone circle, standing stones and burial sites dating between 2500 BC and 1000 BC. Pick up a guide book at the Dartmoor Visitor Centre in Princetown or look up on the English Heritage website. Visible from the Barn and about 30 minutes walk directly across the moor. Take refreshment at the Dartmoor Inn in Merrivale - though opening hours can be erratic.
Merrivale Prehistoric Settlement
Bronze Age settlement and complex of ritual sites, including stone rows, a stone circle, standing stones and burial sites dating between 2500 BC and 1000 BC. Pick up a guide book at the Dartmoor Visitor Centre in Princetown or look up on the English Heritage website. Visible from the Barn and about 30 minutes walk directly across the moor. Take refreshment at the Dartmoor Inn in Merrivale - though opening hours can be erratic.
Local services
Princetown has a Post Office stores for essentials and two dog friendly pubs (The Prince of Wales and The Plume of Feathers) both welcoming with good food. Try the Fox Tor Cafe for lunch or cream tea (and bike hire). Leave the car at the Barn and go for a 40 minute level walk along track to Foggintor Quarry then the old Railway line to Princetown. Tavistock is 15 minutes by car for supermarket shopping. The Minor Injury Unit at Tavistock Hospital is open every day (09:00 - 17:00) to treat you if you have an injury which isn't life-threatening, but still requires urgent treatment. For all incidents involving livestock, call 07873 587 561.
Post office stores for essentials, a couple of pubs and cafes. Prison Museum and Dartmoor Visitor Centre are must sees.
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Princetown
Post office stores for essentials, a couple of pubs and cafes. Prison Museum and Dartmoor Visitor Centre are must sees.
Historic and scenic country town. Visit the renowned indoor Pannier Market and browse the unusually wide range of independent shops. Plenty of cafes and other places to eat. Arts centre and public swimming pool. Independent food shops as well as Tesco, Morrisons and Lidl (heading out of town towards Plymouth)
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Tavistock
Historic and scenic country town. Visit the renowned indoor Pannier Market and browse the unusually wide range of independent shops. Plenty of cafes and other places to eat. Arts centre and public swimming pool. Independent food shops as well as Tesco, Morrisons and Lidl (heading out of town towards Plymouth)
Food scene
There are plenty of local pubs serving good food at reasonable prices. Tavistock has a wide choice of dining and takeaways.
Popular spot near Princetown for a cream tea - or lunch or dinner
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Two Bridges Hotel
Popular spot near Princetown for a cream tea - or lunch or dinner
Lively gastro-pub in Tavistock with great food. Popular so booking advised.
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Cornish Arms
West StreetLively gastro-pub in Tavistock with great food. Popular so booking advised.
Friendly Princetown pub with excellent value traditional Sunday carvery very popular with locals. Excellent value. Booking advised and ask for a table in the bar. Dogs welcome.
Plume of Feathers
Plymouth HillFriendly Princetown pub with excellent value traditional Sunday carvery very popular with locals. Excellent value. Booking advised and ask for a table in the bar. Dogs welcome.
Popular with locals. Limited menu of home cooked food.
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Peter Tavy Inn
Popular with locals. Limited menu of home cooked food.
Prince of Wales
Tavistock RoadPrincetown pub with good food
Great place in Princetown for coffee, lunch or tea. Bicycle hire available
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Fox Tor Cafe
2 Two Bridges RdGreat place in Princetown for coffee, lunch or tea. Bicycle hire available
Friendly Princetown cafe for coffee, lunch or tea. Takeaway fish and chips, but generally closes at 5pm
The Old Police Station
Tavistock RoadFriendly Princetown cafe for coffee, lunch or tea. Takeaway fish and chips, but generally closes at 5pm
Cheery, big and dependable Wetherspoons in centre of Tavistock. Hard to beat for value.
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The Queen's Head
79-80 West StCheery, big and dependable Wetherspoons in centre of Tavistock. Hard to beat for value.
Walking and cycling
If walking and cycling are high on your list, you have come to the right place!
The Barn is surrounded by open moorland with direct access. Walk or cycle along the Princetown Railway to Princetown in one direction or Burrator Reservoir in the other (bike hire is available from Fox Tor Cafe in Princetown. See if you can find the granite “corbels”, impressive prepared stone beams destined for the original London Bridge, but left abandoned near Swelltor Quarry. Climb up Kings Tor (on the opposite side of the valley to the Barn) for panoramic views to Plymouth Sound and Cornwall. Walk up North Hessary Tor to the radio mast behind the Barn and drop down to Princetown. Try out letterboxing and geocaching. Visit the scenic riverside at Dartmeet and at Postbridge with its ancient clapper bridge.
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Dartmoor National Park
PL20The Barn is surrounded by open moorland with direct access. Walk or cycle along the Princetown Railway to Princetown in one direction or Burrator Reservoir in the other (bike hire is available from Fox Tor Cafe in Princetown. See if you can find the granite “corbels”, impressive prepared stone beams destined for the original London Bridge, but left abandoned near Swelltor Quarry. Climb up Kings Tor (on the opposite side of the valley to the Barn) for panoramic views to Plymouth Sound and Cornwall. Walk up North Hessary Tor to the radio mast behind the Barn and drop down to Princetown. Try out letterboxing and geocaching. Visit the scenic riverside at Dartmeet and at Postbridge with its ancient clapper bridge.
Cinema and Theatre
The cinema in Okehampton is about 30 minutes drive or so from the Barn. It has 3 screens and shows mainstream movies. It is not usually necessary to book and the prices are very reasonable.
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The New Carlton Cinema
Market StreetThe cinema in Okehampton is about 30 minutes drive or so from the Barn. It has 3 screens and shows mainstream movies. It is not usually necessary to book and the prices are very reasonable.
Local arts centre in Tavistock has a variety of events including theatre and live music. Occassional touring visits by the Royal Ballet, Royal Opera etc.
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The Wharf
Local arts centre in Tavistock has a variety of events including theatre and live music. Occassional touring visits by the Royal Ballet, Royal Opera etc.