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Okehampton, Devon, England

Okehampton is a town and civil parish in Devon, in the south west of England.
Situated at the northern edge of Dartmoor, on the River Okement - the border of the Dartmoor National Park is just south of the town.

Like many towns in the West Country, Okehampton grew on the Medieval wool trade. Notable buildings in the town include the 15th century chapel of St. James, and Okehampton Castle. There is the site of a Roman fort close to the Town. The town is also home to the Museum of Dartmoor Life. Okehampton elected two members to the Unreformed House of Commons. The Reform Act 1832 abolished its representation as a rotten borough.

Okehampton sits quietly at the very centre of Devon, at the point where the gentle rolling hills that epitomise North Devon's soft and welcoming character met the stark granite moorland scenery of the Dartmoor National Park, including the high peaks of Yes Tor and High Willhayes. The location of the town, easy access to the moor and the adjacent A30 trunk road have all contributed to establishing Okehampton as the walking centre for the northern region of the National Park.

The towns growing prominence has been reinforced by the re-opening of the Exeter to Okehampton railway line. This is a limited service at the present, running on weekends only, but it does provide people with another means of convenient access to the town. A second line, the 'Dartmoor Pony' runs from Okehampton across the dramatic Meldon Viaduct to nearby village of Meldon, where you will find the Meldon Visitor Centre. This is a weekend service for most of the year, stepping up to a daily service during the peak season.

Okehampton is an historic market town that has something for everyone. Browse small independent shops which offer friendly service and unusual goods. Enjoy an original Victorian shopping arcade and surrounding Georgian architecture. Sample traditional pubs offering real ales and home cooked food.

Simmons Park
Visit Simmons Park and enjoy greenery and tranquillity right in the heart of the town. This lovely park offers mature parkland complete with its centrepiece the East Ockment river that runs off the slopes of Dartmoor.

Okehampton is also characterized by the large number of smaller villages and towns that surround it. Notable examples are the villages of Folly Gate, a small picturesque village which lies in close proximity to the village of Inwardleigh and Abbeyford woods, Belstone, known for its location on the very outskirts of Dartmoor, and Sticklepath which runs in parallel fashion to the A30 dual carriageway.

More Information
Okehampton Castle
The first documentary evidence of the existence of Okehampton was in AD 980, when the Saxon settlement cross roads, was listed as a place where slaves were freed, so that they could choose their own destiny. The Saxon rulers of the area were replaced by the Norman's following 1066 and the invasion of William the Conqueror. The first Norman Serif of the area was Baldwin de Brion, who built the castle as an administrative centre for the large Devon estates that he had acquired.

The Castle is located just outside of the town on top of a wooded hill, in a strategic position that dominated the River Okemont valley and the main route into Cornwall. Okehampton was the largest mediaeval castle to be built in Devon. The main building was destroyed on orders of Henry VIII, after its owner, the Earl of Devon was convicted of treason, but it is still an impressive, and awe inspiring sight. The remains of the building are administered and cared for by English Heritage.

The Museum of Dartmoor Life.
Situated in a courtyard on West Street, next door to the Tourist information Office, the museum traces the development of the town and adjacent moor over the centuries. The museum, which is housed in a former mill, with a restored water wheel, has a large collection of local photographs and documents, acting as a centre for local research.


Okehampton Camp
The substantial army training camp on Dartmoor is reached via Okehampton, and is referred to as "Okehampton Camp". It is managed by the Defence Training Estate, and used by a variety of military units, predominantly the Commando Training Centre Royal Marines (CTCRM), Lympstone, Devon and many cadet training units. The Ten Tors event is run by the Army each year in early May from Okehampton Camp.