Moretonhampstead is a town of 1,700 people (2011) in Dartmoor, in the English county of Devon within Dartmoor National Park. Its position makes it a base to explore Dartmoor and Devon.
Moretonhampstead has a good range of sporting facilities and the proximity of Dartmoor makes it popular with ramblers and cyclists, in particular for mountain biking.[19]
Understand
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The central part of the town stands at an altitude of 700 feet (210 m) but a short stroll within the parish will elevate the walker to beyond 1,100 feet (340 m) and afford views of the surrounding area. Moretonhampstead has four pubs and three cafes. There is a wide selection of hotels, bed and breakfast, self-catering and camping accommodation.
Get in
[edit]By car
[edit]Take the B3212 from Exeter or A382 from Newton Abbot.
By bus
[edit]359 direct from Exeter to Moretonhampstead, 5 per day (except Sunday). 173 indirect from Exeter via Drewsteignton and Chagford, 4 per day (except Sunday).
Get around
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See
[edit]- 1 Almshouses, Cross St, TQ13 8NN (in front of the church of St Andrew). Grade I listed almshouses with portico - 1637 [date stone] but possibly part of the medieval hospital founded in 1451
- 2 Bowring Library (Moretonhampstead Library), 2 Fore St, TQ13 8LL, ☏ +44 1647 440523. Tu Sa 10AM-noon, W 2-6PM. Grade II listed Library with beautiful facade and unusual railings
- 3 Dartmoor Pony Statues, Pound St, TQ13 8NX.
- 4 Moretonhampstead Motor Museum, The Old Bus Depot, Court Street,TQ13 8LG, ☏ +44 1647 440636, [email protected]. W-Su 11:30AM-4:30PM. £7 adult, £3.50 child.
- 5 Cranbrook Castle. A prehistoric hill fort.
Do
[edit]- Moretonhampstead has an annual carnival, held in the fourth week in August.
- 1 Hingston Down. Hingston Down is topped by Hingston Rocks 325 m (1,066 ft) high with views over Moretonhampton.
- 2 Moretonhampstead Swimming Pool, Betton Way, TQ13 8LG. Open May-Sep. 25-metre open-air swimming pool: heated by air source heat pumps and solar power to 27 °C.
- 3 Moretonhampstead World of Hair (MWOH), Moretonhampstead. A fascinating dive into the history and culture surrounding hair in the UK, this little-known attractions has hairs from famous celebrities across the South West, and also claims to have "probably fewer rats than Chessington world of Adventures". A fascinating day out.
Buy
[edit]Eat
[edit]Drink
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- 1 The Horse (The White Horse), 7 George St, TQ13 8PG, ☏ +44 1647 440242. Tu-Sa 5-11PM (closed Su M).
- 2 The Union Inn, 10 Ford St, TQ13 8LN, ☏ +44 1647 440199. M-Sa 11AM-11PM, Su 11:30AM-11PM.
Outside the town:
- 3 Ring Of Bells Inn, North Bovey, TQ13 8RB, ☏ +44 1647 440375, [email protected]. Daily 10AM-11PM.
Sleep
[edit]- 1 Sparrowhawk Backpackers, 45 Ford St, TQ13 8LN, ☏ +44 1647 440318. £19 dorm, £45 double.
- 2 The White Hart Hotel, The Square, TQ13 8NF, ☏ +44 1647 440500, [email protected]. Free House Inn with drinks, comfortable sitting room with a large chess set and open fires, furnished in country hunting style.
Connect
[edit]As of Sept 2023, Moretonhampstead and its approach roads have 4G from EE and Three, limited Vodafone (outdoor only). 5G has not reached this area.
Go next
[edit]- Princetown 14 mi (23 km) to the south west following the B3212.
- Chagford 4.5 mi (7.2 km) to the north west following the B3208.
| Routes through Moretonhampstead |
| A30 ← Clagford (B3208) ← | North  South
|
→ Bovey Tracy → Newton Abbot |