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- Grimspound and the surrounding valleys
Longhouse Farm, where both cottages are located, is a traditional Dartmoor farm situated in the heart of Dartmoor-one of the UK’s remaining wildernesses, famed for its wildlife and spectacular scenery.
Down its own private driveway, the farm retains a secluded feel whilst being within ten minutes drive of the popular “chocolate box” village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor, with its Post Office and general stores, National Trust shop, traditional pottery, several cafes, beautiful medieval church of St Pancras and the ancient pub, The Old Inn. The village is an interesting and historic place to visit. From its world famous fair in September to the legend of Old Uncle Tom Cobley. In summer why not enjoy an ice-cream, and watch the ponies on the village green, or visit the stunningly carved chair that once belonged to Tom Cobley himself?
Alternately take a day-trip to the South Hams and the picturesque sea-side towns of Dartmouth, Salcombe, Kingsbridge, and Bigbury on Sea with its island. There are lovely beaches in the area such as Blackpool Sands with its tasteful beachside café/ shop with a selection of water sports equipment for sale and hire, ample beachside parking and award winning showers, toilets and baby changing facilities. Directions and details of all these locations can be found on the South Hams district council website. Please note: dogs are not permitted on public beaches in Devon between Easter-Day, and the start of October.
If you prefer to stay on the moor, then there are numerous walks encompassing all of the points of interest for Dartmoor, the diverse wildlife including otters, badgers, red foxes, deer, trout, owls, bats, newts, lizards, toads, falcons etc. is evident everywhere and a lot of walks follow one of the many watercourses and tributaries around the River Dart. Walk through Wistman’s Wood, the unique ancient fragment of the original forest that once covered the whole of Dartmoor, or climb a tor, (a Devon hill with a rocky outcrop on top, often named after the creatures that people thought they looked like.)
Longhouse Farm is only four miles from Grimspound – the best preserved Bronze Age settlement in Western Europe. It is an ancient ruined village on a hilltop, overlooking the stunning Challacombe valley. There are some perfect walks around the settlement, to Postbridge, Heatree Down and the Warren House Inn. Routes can be found here. Grimspound is one of dartmoor.co.uk‘s recommended spots for a wild picnic. English Heritage’s website also has a good page about the ancient village. There is information about the history of the site and ancient history on Dartmoor in the Grimspound entry on Wikepedia, as well as on Stone Circles, Megalithic and Grimspound. You can find out about the folklore surrounding the area on Legendary Dartmoor.
Grimspound and the surrounding valleys
Directions from Longhouse Farm to Grimspound are on Google Maps – (Enter A: Devon Farm Cottage Holidays, B: 50.613307N, 3.837378W. We recommend you have a look at the route in the 3D mode – the aerial view of the settlement is very impressive).
Dartmoor Magazine has details of walks and rights of way across the moor available at Widecombe-in-the-Moor Post Office, and the High Moor Expedition Centre in Princetown.
During the summer there are sometimes bird watching evening walks to see nightingales in nearby Bellever, organised by Devon Wildlife Trusts. Longhouse Farm participates in ‘Otter Spotter’ otter watches on it’s own stretch of the West Webburn river (a tributary of the Dart), the fishing rights of which are owned by the farm.