Dartmoor; Okehampton

We stayed at Okehampton, on the northern edge of Dartmoor, for the Lydford Gorge walk and the circular walk via Okehampton Castle, Lower Hadstock, and Belstone.

It is an interesting town to visit, and we had a quick look around the town centre before an excellent dinner at Brothers restaurant.

The next morning, we visited Okehampton Castle; it was founded after the Norman Conquest as a motte and bailey castle, guarding a crossing point over the West Okemont River. In the 13th century, the Earls of Devon owners (the De Courtneys) used it as a hunting lodge, but it went into decline in the 15th century after the Wars of the Roses. It is now managed by English Heritage. The ruins mainly comprise a 12th century keep and 14th-century domestic buildings and a chapel.Read more