Pictures of Okehampton
in the county of Devon
About Okehampton
There has been a settlement at Okehampton since the Bronze-Age, later it became a prosperous Saxon town with the Saxon Lords being overthrown at the time of the Conquest. It was at this time that a castle was built at Okehampton by Baldwin de Brion, a Norman Sheriff and holder of vast lands in Devon. These passed by marriage to the powerful Courtney family, who rebuilt the castle on a grand scale as a fortified country retreat. In 1538, Henry VIII seized the castle, but strangely it was not used by him for very long and was eventually laid to waste. The building is now a spectacular ruin in a lovely tranquil site. The grounds offer pleasant riverside picnic spots, enchanting woodland walks, and maybe a sighting of Lady Howard's ghost!
These days, situated as it is close to the high reaches of Dartmoor, Okehampton is known as the "gateway" to the moors. It offers easy access to some of the highest peaks and most remote areas in southern England. Here visitors have various opportunities for a relaxing time, these include the famous Tarka Trail, Abbeyford Woods - a beautiful woodland with an abundance of wildlife, the Devon coast to coast route on the National Cycle Network.
Lydford Gorge is a place no country lover should miss. Walkers enjoy a wonderful scenic circular walk through a famous river gorge. The walk starts high above the river, venturing through magnificent woods before dropping down to the magnificent White Lady Waterfall. Further along you follow the course of the River Lyd through a deep ravine to a place where the river offers a series of enchanting whirlpools, including the fascinating Devil's Cauldron.
One of the features of Okehampton is its pleasant country inns of which one is believed to have existed in the 12th century. The town hall dates from around 1656, there are a number of solid stone buildings, and a small museum recalls the history and life of the region.
Simmons Park offers plenty of leisure facilities including an indoor swimming pool, gym,tennis courts, a bowling green and a football pitch.
For visitors wishing to stay, Okehampton makes an ideal base for exploring Dartmoor, there is plenty of hotel accommodation, good restaurants, atmospheric inns, holiday cottages and a youth hostel.
Planning a visit? Please see below for other recommended towns, attractions and recommended hotels nearby.
Distances and directions below are approximate. For true driving distances please visit the AA Route Planner
Recommended attractions near Okehampton
| Okehampton Castle | (0.7 miles, 1.2 km) | Pictures |
| The Nine Maidens Stone Circle | (2.2 miles, 3.5 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Finch Foundry | (3.5 miles, 5.6 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Cosdon Hill & Shilley Pool | (4.1 miles, 6.7 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Spinster's Rock | (7.7 miles, 12.4 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Fernworthy Stone Circle | (8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Lydford Gorge | (8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Grey Wethers Stone Circle | (8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Lydford Castle | (8.1 miles, 13.1 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Castle Drogo | (9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction E) | Pictures |
| Grimspound | (11.3 miles, 18.2 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
| Dartmoor National Park | (11.7 miles, 18.8 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Dingles Fairground Heritage Centre | (12.1 miles, 19.5 km, direction SW) | Pictures |
| Merrivale Prehistoric Settlement | (12.9 miles, 20.7 km, direction S) | Pictures |
| Jay's Grave | (13.1 miles, 21.0 km, direction SE) | Pictures |
All attractions in OkehamptonAll attractions in DevonComplete A to Z of attractions in EnglandRecommended towns near Okehampton
Gidleigh, in the county of Devon (6.6 miles, 10.7 km, direction SE)
The small wooded village of Gidleigh stands in superb wooded countryside at the heart of the Dartmoor National Park.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Chagford, in the county of Devon (8.5 miles, 13.7 km, direction SE)
With haunting scenery, quaint cottages, pretty streets and alleyways Chagford has something for everyone.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Drewsteignton, in the county of Devon (9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction E)
This attractive village is one of the most beautifully laid out of all Devon villages with pretty cottages set around a fine village square.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Zeal Monachorum, in the county of Devon (9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction NE)
Set amid the rolling agricultural heartland of Devon, Zeal Monachorum is the very epitome of the perfect, tranquil Devonian village.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Postbridge, in the county of Devon (10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction S)
Postbridge is a tiny hamlet, yet this richly wooded area, at the heart of the moor has become a natural starting point for the thousands of visitors who annually come to explore the splendour and wonders of the moor.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Two Bridges, in the county of Devon (12.6 miles, 20.2 km, direction S)
Two Bridges is the junction of the two major routes across central Dartmoor, and thus attracts a lot of visitors in the summer.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Princetown, in the county of Devon (13.3 miles, 21.4 km, direction S)
Princetown is the highest village within the Dartmoor National Park, some call it the bleakest centre of the moors which is probably largely due to the town being the home of notorious Dartmoor Prison.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Tavistock, a Historic Market Town in the county of Devon (14.3 miles, 23.0 km, direction SW)
This pleasant market town plays host to what is possibly Devon's most entertaining annual fair, the Goose Fair, normally...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Dartmeet, a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon (14.6 miles, 23.4 km, direction S)
A popular tourist and beauty spot on Dartmoor. It is the meeting point of the two major tributaries of the River Dart: the East...
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Buckland in the Moor, in the county of Devon (16.0 miles, 25.7 km, direction SE)
This is one of Devon's "dream villages" with an attractive small church dating from the 13th century and a cluster of picturesque thickly thatched country cottages with the most "English" of country gardens.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
High Bickington, in the county of Devon (16.1 miles, 25.8 km, direction N)
High Bickington lies in one of England's most beautiful and relaxing regions, it is a short distance from the meandering River Taw and is ideally set close to both Dartmoor and Exmoor.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Chittlehamholt, in the county of Devon (16.7 miles, 26.8 km, direction N)
Chittlehamholt is a lovely peaceful village lying in unspoilt countryside close to the River Taw.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Launceston, in the county of Cornwall (17.0 miles, 27.3 km, direction W)
There is a restless beauty about this stunning region, it has constantly changing vista's, the beautiful stone of enchanting houses glows in the warmth of the sun.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Yelverton, in the county of Devon (17.3 miles, 27.8 km, direction S)
Yelverton, by-passed by the picturesque River Meavy is situated on the south-western fringes of Dartmoor. It is a quaint little town surrounded by fine scenery with easy access to some of the loveliest places on Dartmoor.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
Mariansleigh, in the county of Devon (19.3 miles, 31.1 km, direction NE)
This charming tiny village is set in lovely rural mid-Devonshire countryside within a short distance from the meandering River Mole in the beautiful Mole Valley, and the picturesque Crooked Oak stream.
Info | Pictures | Hotels
All towns in DevonComplete A to Z of towns in EnglandNearby travel help
| Lapford Station | (11.7 miles, 18.9 km, direction NE) |
| Eggesford Station | (11.8 miles, 19.0 km, direction NE) |
| M5 Junction 31 | (21.9 miles, 35.2 km, direction E) |
| Plymouth City Airport | (22.3 miles, 35.8 km, direction S) |
| M5 Junction 30 | (23.8 miles, 38.3 km, direction E) |
| Exeter Airport | (25.6 miles, 41.1 km, direction E) |
| Okehampton to London | (176.9 miles, 284.6 km, direction E) |
Hotels & Accommodation in Okehampton
| Hotel Name | Approximate distance from Okehampton center |
| Fox & Hounds Hotel | (6.3 miles, 10.1 km, direction SW) |
| Bovey Castle | (10.8 miles, 17.3 km, direction SE) |
| The Bickford Arms | (12.3 miles, 19.7 km, direction NW) |
| Two Bridges Hotel | (13.4 miles, 21.6 km, direction S) |
| The Old Bakehouse | (13.5 miles, 21.7 km, direction NE) |
| Lifton Hall Hotel | (13.8 miles, 22.3 km, direction SW) |
| Bedford Hotel | (14.5 miles, 23.3 km, direction SW) |
| Browns Tavistock | (14.5 miles, 23.3 km, direction SW) |
| The Coachouse Hotel & Restaurant | (15.2 miles, 24.5 km, direction SW) |
| The Old School Guesthouse | (16.2 miles, 26.1 km, direction S) |
| All hotels in Okehampton |
