Discover Dartmoor National Park
Step outside and one of Britain’s most remarkable landscapes unfolds before you.
Explore miles of walking trails, discover ancient stone rows, encounter Dartmoor ponies and experience dramatic views across open moorland.
Nearby you’ll find:
– Merrivale Stones
– Princetown
– Tavistock
– Wistman’s Woods
– Burrator Reservoir
– Bellever Forest
– Haytor Rocks
– Merrivale Circular (5 Miles)
Fire-Grilled Food: Our Signature Experience
What truly sets the Dartmoor Inn apart is our famous fire-grilled cooking. We grill our premium meats and seasonal vegetables over an open fire right in the inn, creating an atmosphere that’s both theatrical and deeply traditional. The crackling flames and rich aromas transport you back to centuries of Dartmoor heritage. Our chefs select the finest Devon beef, Dartmoor lamb and local produce, allowing the wood-fired flames to caramelise surfaces and seal in natural flavours. Every meal becomes an experience that celebrates both exceptional quality and ancient cooking traditions.
Comfortable Accommodation on Dartmoor National Park
After a day exploring the rugged 954-square-kilometer moorland, retreat to our welcoming accommodation. Each room combines period character with modern comfort, offering peaceful rest surrounded by Dartmoor’s tranquility. Wake up to panoramic moorland views, fuel up with our hearty breakfast and step straight onto ancient walking trails. Our rooms provide the perfect sanctuary for hikers, cyclists, climbers and anyone seeking to experience wild swimming in the River Dart or Teign, letterboxing adventures or simply the magic of Dartmoor’s dark skies.
Discover Merrivale and Beyond
Dartmoor Inn’s, Merrivale location places you at the heart of Dartmoor’s most spectacular scenery. Walk to prehistoric stone circles, tackle challenging tors with breathtaking panoramic views or explore winding riverside trails. Whether you’re planning wild swimming expeditions, cycling steep moorland routes, stargazing under some of England’s darkest skies or discovering myths and legends at ancient sites, we’re your ideal base. Our knowledgeable team shares insider tips on the best sunrise viewpoints, hidden valleys and where to spot highland cattle.
Explore Merrivale, Dartmoor
From Merrivale, you’re perfectly positioned at the heart of Dartmoor’s most spectacular walking routes and prehistoric treasures. The popular 3-mile Merrivale Circular Walk takes you past Bronze Age stone rows, standing stones, burial chambers and hut circles dating back 4,000 years. Just steps from the Dartmoor Inn, explore ancient monuments before continuing to the dramatic Vixen Tor, shrouded in legends. For challenging hikes, tackle Great Mis Tor and Staple Tors to the north for panoramic moorland vistas. Cox Tor offers stunning 360-degree views across surrounding tors and valleys. The River Walkham provides gentler riverside rambles through ancient woodland. Princetown, home to the High Moorland Visitor Centre and Dartmoor Prison, sits just 2 miles east. Well-marked trails connect Merrivale to Postbridge’s famous clapper bridge, while the old railway trackbed provides flat, accessible walking for all abilities. Merrivale’s central location makes it the ideal base for both gentle strolls and moorland expeditions.
What Our Guests Say
Discover why guests return for our fire-grilled food and warm hospitality
Merrivale is renowned for its exceptional walking routes and prehistoric monuments. The 3-mile Merrivale Circular Walk takes you past Bronze Age stone rows, standing stones, burial chambers and ancient hut circles dating back over 4,000 years. You can hike to dramatic tors including Vixen Tor, Great Mis Tor, Staple Tors and Cox Tor, all offering spectacular moorland views. The area is perfect for wildlife watching, with Dartmoor ponies frequently grazing nearby. Princetown is just 2 miles away, where you will find the well known Dartmoor prison.
Merrivale is approximately 7 miles from Tavistock, 10 miles from Okehampton and about 15 miles from Plymouth. Exeter is roughly 30 miles away, making Merrivale easily accessible yet wonderfully remote. The village sits right on the B3357 road that crosses central Dartmoor, with good road connections despite its moorland location. This central position makes it an ideal base for exploring the entire national park.
The Merrivale Circular Walk is perfect for beginners – a gentle 3-mile route on relatively flat terrain that showcases the area’s ancient monuments. The old railway trackbed offers accessible, level walking suitable for all abilities and pushchairs. Riverside walks along the River Walkham provide easy, scenic strolls through woodland. For those wanting slightly more challenge, the walk to Vixen Tor is moderate and highly rewarding, at around 2 miles round trip with stunning views.
Yes! Dartmoor ponies roam freely across the moorland around Merrivale and are frequently spotted grazing near the prehistoric monuments and along walking routes. These semi wild ponies are an iconic part of Dartmoor’s landscape. You may also see highland cattle and sheep. Remember to observe from a distance, never feed them and give them plenty of space as they’re wild animals despite their gentle appearance.
Dartmoor weather can change rapidly, so layered clothing is essential. Bring waterproof jacket and trousers, sturdy walking boots with good ankle support and warm layers even in summer. The terrain can be boggy, so waterproof footwear is crucial. Pack a map and compass (mobile signal can be unreliable), plenty of water, snacks, sun protection and a first aid kit. In winter, conditions can be harsh with mist, rain and strong winds, so proper preparation is vital for safe moorland walking.
