Photo © Colin Smith, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Princetown
Princetown stands near the centre of Dartmoor, the highest settlement on the moor and one of the most exposed places in southern England. The town owes its existence to Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt, who in the early nineteenth century set out to bring farming and industry to the open moor and named the settlement in honour of the Prince of Wales, later George IV. His most lasting legacy is Dartmoor Prison, begun in 1806 to hold prisoners taken during the Napoleonic Wars and later American prisoners from the War of 1812. The prison has dominated the town ever since, and its granite walls, quarried from the moor itself, remain the first thing most visitors notice.
Today Princetown is the natural starting point for exploring the high moor. The former National Park's visitor centre occupied the former Duchy Hotel, where Arthur Conan Doyle is said to have stayed while gathering ideas for The Hound of the Baskervilles.
From the town, tracks lead out to Foggintor, Ingra Tor, Great Mis Tor, South Hessary Tor and the lonely expanse of Dartmoor, the bed of the old Princetown railway, once the highest line in England, now makes an easy and spectacular walk with views for miles in every direction.
Princetown on the map
In Princetown
American and French Prisoners of War memorial garden
Princetown, Tavistock
A quiet memorial to American and French prisoners of war held on Dartmoor during the Napoleonic Wars and later conflicts.
Anne-Marie Furse
Princetown
Anne-Marie Furse is a landscape artist, illustrator and printmaker whose vibrant, atmospheric work is inspired by the scenery and history of Dartmoor and the Cornish coast.
Bachelor's Hall
Princetown, Yelverton
Bachelor's Hall is perfect for residentials, Duke of Edinburgh groups, large family get-togethers or a reunion of friends. Everyone can experience the freedom of the moor, the vastness of the landscape and the closeness to the abundant wildlife.
Dartmoor Brewery
Princetown
Dartmoor Brewery - producing award-winning traditional ales for the past 30 years at England's highest brewery, in the heart of Dartmoor. The famous and original Jail Ale, the mighty Legend, the golden Dartmoor IPA, and more besides. Beer with altitude.
Dartmoor Distillery
Princetown
An award-winning artisan gin distillery on Station Road in Princetown, at the heart of the high moor.
Devonport Leat
Princetown
A historic watercourse that once supplied Plymouth, running from Dartmoor's high ground to Burrator Reservoir.
Duchy of Cornwall
Princetown, Yelverton
The Duchy of Cornwall is on a mission to become a world-leading impact organisation, using its assets and convening power to deliver resilient, vibrant, and prosperous communities and ecosystems - now, and into the future. We create positive outcomes for people, nature, and communities, as well as returns that are reinvested with purpose.
Fox Tor Cafe
Princetown, Yelverton
Welcoming licensed café and bunkhouse in Princetown, the highest town on Dartmoor. Locally sourced home-cooked breakfasts, lunches, cream teas and cakes. Dog and walker-friendly with wood-burning stoves, a tea garden and bunkhouse accommodation. Open 6 days a week year-round.
Global Warrior Expedition Basecamp
Princetown, Yelverton
Global Warrior Basecamp - Experts in creating adventures and expeditions. Planning, safety, logistics, budgeting, permissions, outfitting clothing and equipment.
Happy Belly Bakery
Princetown
Husband-and-wife sourdough bakery at Duchy Square in Princetown, working a four-day slow ferment.
Heart of Dartmoor Guided Walks
Princetown
Bespoke guided walks across Dartmoor led by experienced mountain leaders, based in Princetown.
National Park Visitor Centre, Princetown (closed)
Princetown
The former location of the National Park Visitor Centre, Princetown
Nuns Cross Farm
Princetown
Remote moorland farmstead south of Princetown, built in 1901 near the ancient Nun's Cross boundary marker.
Old Farm (ruins)
Princetown
Ruins of a moorland farmhouse built around 1871 by John Hooper near Nun's Cross, south of Princetown.
Plume of Feathers
Princetown
Historic Princetown pub dating from around 1785, offering rooms, complimentary breakfast and a cosy bar restaurant.
Princetown Community Centre
Princetown
Volunteer-run community centre in the heart of the village, housing the GP surgery, library and pre-school, with two halls for hire.
Princetown Community Primary School
Princetown
Princetown Community Primary School is the village primary school, serving the families of Princetown and the high moor at the heart of Dartmoor.
Princetown Distillers
Princetown
English single malt whisky distillery on Station Road, purpose-built in the centre of the moor.
Princetown Library
Princetown
Public library inside Princetown Community Centre, open four part-days a week.
Princetown Press
Princetown
We use heritage craft techniques, hand-powered printing presses, and recycled papers to create printed ephemera that inspire and delight. Where possible, we use British-made materials, and tools.With combined degrees in Environmental Science, and Sustainable Product and Furniture Design, makers Emma Hogbin and Jon Palmer bring a unique perspective to the endangered heritage craft of letterpress.
Spirit of Adventure
Princetown
Outdoor education provider based in a converted 19th-century gunpowder factory on Dartmoor, offering school programmes, Duke of Edinburgh expeditions and corporate training.
The Railway Ramblers Rest
Princetown
We found our love for providing self catering accommodation through Airbnb, where we hosted 100’s of visitors over 10 years. We love it, and our customers thought we were good at it – resulting in us achieving 5 star ratings and Superhost status.
