Things to Do in Chagford: A First-Timer's Guide

Short answer: Chagford is a medieval square with everything on it, and a base for the eastern moor. Castle Drogo is ten minutes away, Wistman's Wood is out on the high moor, and the Globe Inn does the best Sunday roast around.

What Chagford is

The prettiest village on Dartmoor and quietly aware of it — a medieval square, granite buildings, a church with a horse and foal grazing in the yard. It is a working village rather than a tourist one, so the pubs and shops are open and busy in February.

Everything is on the square

Which makes it an unusually easy village to visit. Park once and the pubs, cafés and shops are all within a minute's walk.

What to do from here

• Castle Drogo, ten minutes away — the last castle built in England, a Lutyens design finished in 1930, above the Teign Gorge. Dogs welcome in the gardens and grounds.
• The Hunter's Path from Fingle Bridge up to the castle — the best walk on Dartmoor's eastern edge.
• Wistman's Wood on the high moor — one of the last temperate rainforests in England, stunted oaks covered in rare mosses.
• Stone Lane Gardens — an RHS-recognised birch and alder collection with a summer sculpture exhibition. Dog friendly and very quiet. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
• Becky Falls — waterfall walks through ancient woodland, with three trail options and animal talks.

Where to eat

The Globe Inn is the heart of the village and does the best Sunday roast on this side of the moor, with a vegetarian option people rate. Ring O'Bells on the square is a proper local with hearty food and a good beer list.

For breakfast after a moor walk, the Old Forge Caffè on the square does excellent sausages, and the Birdcage does sourdough and scones that get singled out.

A moorland note

Dartmoor weather changes fast and the roads out of the village are unfenced with livestock and ponies on them. Take it slowly, and start walks early in winter — the light goes by four.