Attractions and Places To See around Northlew - Top 20

The area around Northlew offers numerous opportunities for hiking and outdoor activities, particularly within Dartmoor National Park. Popular spots include the summits of Yes Tor and High Willhays, which provide stunning views. You can also explore routes around Meldon Viaduct, which is part of the Granite Way, a long-distance cycle path. For specific hiking routes, you can find options in the Hiking around Northlew guide.

Yes, Northlew and its surroundings are rich in history. You can visit the impressive Widgery Cross at Brat Tor, erected in 1887 to commemorate Queen Victoria's Golden Jubilee. Other notable historical sites include Okehampton Castle, Lydford Castle, and Launceston Castle, all within a short drive from Northlew.

Families can enjoy several attractions near Northlew. The Meldon Viaduct, part of the Granite Way, is a well-surfaced path perfect for family cycling. Roadford Lake, about 7 miles away, offers various indoor and outdoor activities. Additionally, War Horse Valley Country Farm Park and Made-Well CIC (a children's farm) are within easy reach for a fun day out.

Yes, the Meldon Viaduct section of the Granite Way is noted as wheelchair accessible, offering a well-surfaced, flat path with stunning views across the West Okement River.

Northlew itself offers excellent views over Dartmoor. For panoramic vistas, head to Yes Tor summit or High Willhays summit, the highest point in Devon, offering 360-degree views. West Mill Tor also provides fantastic views, extending to Exmoor National Park.

In Northlew village, you can visit the 15th-century Church of St Thomas of Canterbury, which features a Norman tower, an early 16th-century rood screen, and unique medieval bench ends. The Hebron Methodist Chapel is another historical church near the village square. The village also has a significant World War I Memorial, known as Poppy Avenue.

When visiting summits like Yes Tor or High Willhays, it's crucial to be well-equipped for Dartmoor's rugged terrain. Yes Tor is close to a military range, so check firing times before your visit. Both offer accessible hikes for most people, with the main reward being the wonderful, expansive views.

The Meldon Viaduct is a key part of the Granite Way, a long-distance cycle path that is well-surfaced and suitable for families. This path offers a great way to explore the area by bike.

Northlew holds the poignant distinction of having lost the highest proportion of its enlisting population of any municipality in the UK during World War I. A project created the world's longest Poppy Avenue, stretching over 10 miles from Okehampton to Broadbury via Northlew, involving the planting of over 360 million poppy seeds as a memorial.

Yes, Dartmoor, accessible from Northlew, is home to significant prehistoric sites. The Merrivale Prehistoric Settlement, about 16 miles away, contains the remains of a Bronze Age settlement and complex ritual sites. Grimspound, another well-known late Bronze Age settlement, is also located on Dartmoor, about 17 miles from Northlew.

Roadford Lake, located approximately 7.2 miles from Northlew, is a large reservoir offering a variety of indoor and outdoor activities. These typically include watersports like sailing, windsurfing, and kayaking, as well as walking and cycling trails around the lake.

The best time to visit Northlew for outdoor activities is generally during the spring and summer months (April to September) when the weather is milder and days are longer, making hiking and exploring more pleasant. However, Dartmoor's rugged beauty can be appreciated year-round, with winter offering a different, often dramatic, landscape for those prepared for colder conditions.

Yes, there are several easy walking routes available. For example, the Meldon Viaduct area offers gentle paths suitable for leisurely strolls. You can find more easy options in the Easy hikes around Northlew guide, which includes routes like the Meldon Dam – Meldon Reservoir loop.