Attractions and Places To See around Iddesleigh - Top 14

Abandoned warehouse

Overlooking the TawValley, at the northern end of Heywood Wood, stand the remains of an early medieval motte and bailey castle. Motte and bailey castles are medieval fortifications introduced into Britain by the Normans. This type of castle was made up of an artificial mound, or motte, on which was built a wooden or stone structure known as a keep. Next to this at least one bailey, a fortified embanked enclosure containing additional buildings, would be built. Although many were occupied for only a short period of time, motte and bailey castles continued to be built and occupied from the 11th to the 13th centuries, after which they were superseded by other types of castle. Heywood CastleAt Heywood the circular motte is about 8 metres high and almost 50 metres in diameter, surrounded by a rock-cut ditch 4 metres wide and 2 metres deep. Around the top of the motte is a bank, up to 4 metres high in places. The crescent shaped bailey which lies to the north-east of the motte is 60 metres long and 40 metres wide and bounded on all sides by a bank 2 metres rising to about 4 metres on the eastern side, where there is an entrance with a causeway across the ditch which extends to the outer bank, which surrounds both the motte and bailey. From the bailey to the motte on the north east side there is the possibility of a bridgeway. On the north side of the bailey a more modern entrance has been formed. https://www.devon.gov.uk/historicenvironment/explore-devons-heritage/heywood-castle-eggesford/

This place is well worth a visit, it is a huge Norman castle mound. No structures are visible (Probably only a wooden keep now long gone) but really worth seeing, it is still quite imposing 1000 years on. "At Heywood the circular motte is about 8 metres high and almost 50 metres in diameter, surrounded by a rock-cut ditch 4 metres wide and 2 metres deep. Around the top of the motte is a bank, up to 4 metres high in places. The crescent shaped bailey which lies to the north-east of the motte is 60 metres long and 40 metres wide and bounded on all sides by a bank 2 metres rising to about 4 metres on the eastern side, where there is an entrance with a causeway across the ditch which extends to the outer bank, which surrounds both the motte and bailey. From the bailey to the motte on the north east side there is the possibility of a bridgeway. On the north side of the bailey a more modern entrance has been formed. The castle at Heywood possibly took the place of an earlier castle some 500 metres to the south in the grounds of Heywood House, on the steep valley side above the River Taw. An alternative theory is that both date to the 1130s and 1140s, and were built during the civil war between Matilda, daughter of Henry I, and his nephew Stephen." https://www.devon.gov.uk/historicenvironment/explore-devons-heritage/heywood-castle-eggesford/

These woods in Okehampton have miles of nice cycling and walking trails to try. Abbeyford Woods is located just north of the town next to the River Okement. There's a good sized car park just off the country lane which runs through the centre of the woods. Alternatively you could walk to the woods along the Tarka Trail from Okehampton. It's about a one mile walk from the centre of the town. In the woods you will find wonderful Douglas Fir trees and beech trees. Look out for wildlife including roe or red deer, redstart, pied flycatcher, nightjar and buzzard. It's a lovely place for a shady afternoon stroll or for mountain bikers looking for some trails in Devon. The Tarka Trail runs through the woods so you can continue along this path to extend your exercise. You can also pick up the Granite Way in Okehampton which is a great cycling and walking trail along a disused railway line.

This remote church has a peaceful atmosphere and is steeped in history. Whilst parts of the church date to the 15th century, much of it was restored and rebuilt in 1867. Inside the church, there are two 17th century monuments to the Chichester family and a large 18th century monument to William Fellowes in Italian marble.

Nestled amongst green Devonshire countryside, Hatherleigh is a sleepy rural town along the Coast to Coast route. With local amenities such as a village shop, post office and two pubs, the town is a good place for a rest stop. The town is also a great base camp from which to explore Dartmoor National Park.

Flowing through Devon from near Meddon to the Bristol Channel, the River Torridge is the perfect place to cycle. Following the traffic-free Tarka Trail alongside the river, you pass many quaint bridges as you go. It's a really beautiful place to ride.

The beauty doesn't stop coming on this tour.