Real, curated ideas for Chagford — the moorland village, the Teign valley, Castle Drogo and where to eat, filtered by who's actually with you.
Chagford is the prettiest village on Dartmoor and knows it — a medieval square, a church with a horse and foal grazing in the yard, independent shops, and an old stannary town history that gives it more substance than its size suggests. Parking is cheap and there are walking maps of the village with the history of the buildings on them.
It is a walking base above all. The Teign valley below the village gives you riverside routes, and the high moor is a few minutes up the road. Fingle Bridge and the Hunter's Path connect down to Castle Drogo, which makes one of the best day walks in Devon.
For a village this size the eating is remarkable — two excellent cafés on the square and two pubs both rated well above what you would expect. If you want one day that shows what Dartmoor is actually like rather than what the postcards say, base it here.
Listings last checked: September 2026
The moor itself — 368 square miles of tors, wild ponies, prehistoric remains and open access land, free to walk anywhere on. Car parks are small and fill early at the popular tors. Weather changes fast up here; take layers and something waterproof whatever the forecast says.
An RHS-recognised birch and alder collection with wildflower meadows and a summer sculpture exhibition from regional artists — quiet, shady and rarely more than a handful of people in it. Excellent cream teas in a small tea room. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.
The last castle built in England, a Lutyens design finished in 1930, standing above the Teign Gorge with fine gardens. The Hunter's Path walk from Fingle Bridge up to it is the classic route from this side. Dog friendly outside the house. Narrow lanes; the 173 bus stops outside.
Waterfall walks through ancient woodland with three trail options and animal talks — meerkats, owls, reptiles — thrown in. The lower falls path is rocky with exposed roots. Good café and knowledgeable keepers. Twenty minutes south east.
The heart of the village and the best Sunday roast on this side of the moor, with a vegetarian option people rate just as highly. Venison stew, lamb croquettes, sticky toffee pudding. Rooms upstairs and staff who will help even when they cannot sell you anything.
A proper local on the square with hearty pub food, good beer, vegan sausages and mash on the menu, and rooms above with views over the village. The kind of pub where the regulars talk to you. Good value.
On the square, and the breakfast stop after a moor walk — excellent sausages, careful little touches, very good coffee and a Devon cream tea people rank among the best anywhere. Relaxed and generous. Closed Mondays and Sundays.
The other café on the square — sourdough, quality sausages, hash browns and scones that get singled out repeatedly, at competitive prices. Outdoor tables and parking right outside. Dog friendly. Closed Tuesdays and Wednesdays.