aussiedreamer

Don't laugh, but anyone following my other threads (annhig & others) will think I have lost my mind. I was deciding between Snowdonia & Brecon Beacons for a long weekend at the end of April. But we were chatting about one of our other trips a couple of years ago when we 'stumbled' into Dartmoor and fell in love with the place, at that time we were so thrilled we decided to find somewhere to stay and spend a few days, exploring. But fate intervened and we got two flat tyres at the same time and had to be towed out. So apart from the wonderful clapper bridge we pretty much missed out.

So we're now thinking.........let’s go back and do it properly. And as a 'bonus' we could 'pop' over to Tintagel Castle and show our DD & her BF our favourite castle.

So I'm thinking Dh & I drive out of London on the Thurs', spend 2 nights in the Cotswolds and then pick up DD in Cheltenham on the Sat' morning (she <b>wants</b> to be in London for The royal wedding) and then all drive down to Dartmoor. Have Sat/Sun in the Park then Monday head to Tintagel and drop the kids to a train back to London Mon afternoon. Dh & I will have 3 more days to meander back to London.

Love to hear any great b&b's in the park or inns and any not to miss sights in the park. Again Dh loves to walk in great scenery, throw in a ruin or old bridge or two and the man is very happy.

Thanks all.

Ps, annhig looks like you win ;-) , we might even pop back into Padstow or as we've been there, whats another lovely town you would suggest for Dh & I to stop for a night and a nice meal?

twoflower

We had a wonderful few days in Dartmoor, staying at Rutherford House B&B in Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Mind you, it was some years ago and may have changed hands by now, but the hosts at the time (Ian & Pauline) were very helpful and hospitable. Knowledgeable too, as Ian was one of the Dartmoor National Park Rangers. We found Widecombe to be a friendly place, with a good pub for meals and Dartmoor ponies grazing quietly on the streets and outside the shops. A climb up to the top of a nearby Tor in "moody" weather was a highlight. Nearby village highlights include Buckland-in-the-Moor, Postbridge, Bovey Tracey, North Bovey and Chagford.

aussiedreamer

Thanks twoflower, I feel 'right' about this choice really looking forward to this part of the trip I'm having trouble finding the B&b on the net...keeps sending me to a b&b in Scotland. Don't 'spose you have a link?

Thanks AD

Amanda_Williams

You have to go to the Highwayman at Sourton on your way to Tintagel, it's on the west side of the moor at Sourton. The website: http://www.thehighwaymaninn.net/
It's got to be the strangest pub you've ever been too. I always take visitors there for the 'complete' experience!
Try http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/ for a good list of places to stay.

aussiedreamer

Great website Amanda, thankyou and I have printed off pub info. Awesome, its so great to be in a new place but kinda know where to go.

aussiedreamer

Topping in the hope that annhig may chime in.

opus

Dartmoor is lovely and a great choice. Having explored large chunks of it and not sure if you are walkers--will share my own posts at http://megrobb.typepad.com/ but really you can't go far wrong. It is a mysterious, lovely and mindful region, one that stays with you long after your holiday ends.

aussiedreamer

Really excited, our short visit last time was just enought to whet our appetites. Now I just have to find a nice place to stay within the park.

opus I love your site.........and omg, I love love love Doc Martin, now have decided we WILL go to Port Isaac even just for a walk and a drink at the pub, thanks so much for sharing.

latedaytraveler

Aussiedreamer, to get in the mood, you folks might watch "Hound of the Baskervilles" - one of the Granada series Sherlock Holmes episodes filmed in the 1980s starring Jeremy Bret, the quintessential Sherlock. The film is largely set in Dartmoor with fabulous scenery. Enjoy!

opus

..and the Dartmoor pubs are wonderful--I always think it's a nice idea to stay near one if at all possible--walking distance is always a plus!

Gardyloo

Well, I was thinking of the other -moor, Exmoor, and was going to recommend the Royal Oak Inn in Winsford (Somerset.) Lovely place, superb country nearby. http://www.royaloak-somerset.co.uk

Oh, I guess I just did.

A snap I took some years ago... http://gardyloo.us/thatchedinn2.jpg

annhig

aussie, I only just found this - sorry!

I've answered your train q on your other thread - is there any other info you need?

if you are near the north of the moor, you might like this:

http://www.thetors.co.uk/

it is a real locals'/walkers' pub, with great beer/cider and homecooked food and there is a lovely walk down to the river at the bottom of the valley and over onto the hill opposite.

aussiedreamer

thanks annhig, I was a bit worried about you for a while............. ;-)

annhig

no need aussie, I've been working hard as usual.

remind me when your trip is due to start?

bilboburgler

There are some good walks on Dartmoor and waymarks to collect. Still can be very cold if it gets bad.

aussiedreamer

Okay so "I will' take my wind breaker jacket , thanks.

ssachida

If you plan on any walks in Dartmoor a spare (or several) pair(s) of shoes is highly recommended. I'm a bit of a rambler but I've never had as many incidents of the ground crumbling under my feet into an underground stream.

annhig

if you are intent on doing any more than the odd stroll, a decent pair of waterproof walking boots might be more use than shoes. We usually wear ours on the flight to keep the weight down but that may not be practical on a flight from Oz.

as ever, layers are the thing when visiting the UK, and a good breathable and waterproof jacket will generally come in useful, if only in the evenings to keep out the chill.