Pictures of England

Search:

Historic Towns & Picturesque Villages

Lyme Regis, in Dorset

Lyme Regis

a Seaside Town in the county of Dorset

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.

Okehampton Videos


Recommended towns & villages near Okehampton

Drewsteignton Village Church, Devon

Drewsteignton (43 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon

(9.5 miles, 15.3 km, direction E of Okehampton)

This attractive village is one of the most beautifully laid out of all Devon villages with pretty cottages set around a fine village square...

Village of Zeal Monachorum in Devon

Zeal Monachorum (4 Pictures) in the county of Devon

(9.7 miles, 15.6 km, direction NE of Okehampton)

Set amid the rolling agricultural heartland of Devon, Zeal Monachorum is the very epitome of the perfect, tranquil Devonian village...

Postbridge, Dartmoor, Devon

Postbridge (19 Pictures) in the county of Devon

(10.8 miles, 17.4 km, direction S of Okehampton)

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...

Dartmeet in Autumn

Dartmeet (14 Pictures) a Picturesque Village in the county of Devon

(14.6 miles, 23.4 km, direction S of Okehampton)

A popular tourist and beauty spot on Dartmoor. It is the meeting point of the two major tributaries of the River Dart: the East Dart and West Dart...

Annual snow day in Exeter

Exeter (236 Pictures) a Historic City in the county of Devon

(20.7 miles, 33.3 km, direction E of Okehampton)

Exeter is a bustling city in the heart of the county of Devon. It's mix of modern and functional with old and cultural makes for an interesting place to live, and to visit...

All towns & villages in Devon
Complete A to Z of towns & villages in England

Nearby attractions..

The Barbican - Okehampton Castle

Okehampton Castle (19 Pictures)

(0.7 miles, 1.2 km)

..

Spinster's Rock, Drewsteignton, Dartmoor, County Devon, England

Spinster's Rock (1 Pictures)

(7.7 miles, 12.4 km, direction E)

..

Fernworthy Stone Circle, near Chagford, Devon

Fernworthy Stone Circle (1 Pictures)

(8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction SE)

Fernworthy Stone Circles are set against the majestic backdrop of some of Dartmoor's highest peaks, in a beautiful forest spot.....

Bridge over the river at Lydford Gorge, Devon.

Lydford Gorge (49 Pictures)

(8.0 miles, 12.9 km, direction SW)

A picturesque stone bridge crosses the River Lyd just south of the village of Lydford. At this point the river often falls fast.....

Grey Wethers Stone Circle, near Okehampton, Devon

Grey Wethers Stone Circle (1 Pictures)

(8.1 miles, 13.0 km, direction SE)

This unique double ringed circle is less dramatic than most and is interesting for the fact that the circles lie side by side.....

Lydford Castle, Lydford, Devon

Lydford Castle (1 Pictures)

(8.1 miles, 13.1 km, direction SW)

A simple square keep is all that remains of Lydford Castle. The castle, standing on a small mound in the shadow of the church.....

Castle Drogo, Near Exeter, Devon

Castle Drogo (22 Pictures)

(9.1 miles, 14.6 km, direction E)

Fortune rarely smiles on people the way it did on Sir Julius Drewe. In 1899 at the age of 33 he was able to retire from the.....


All attractions in Okehampton
All attractions in Devon
Complete A to Z of attractions in England