Jump to: Ivybridge / Okehampton / Adventure Ideas

Dartmoor, a National Park since 1951, provides a breathtaking landscape of moorland capped with exposed granite hilltops, known as tors.

Despite being home to military firing ranges (don’t panic – just check times here and locations in here), Dartmoor is one of the only places in England where it’s legal to wildcamp (in certain areas).

Great Western Railway run trains to stations on both the southern and norhtern edges of the National Park, and so all of this makes it a great option for a quick weekend adventure from London or other parts of the South of England.

Ivybridge

Ivybridge station is nestled just south of the National Park boundary – about a 10 minute walk. Although it’s on the main line between London Paddington and Plymouth, fast trains generally don’t stop there – so you’ll need to change at Totnes and get a local service one stop to Ivybridge.

A typical Saturday morning train from London Paddington will get you into Totnes in 2 hrs 40 mins; and then once you’ve changed trains, it’s 15 mins to Ivybridge.

Ivybridge really is just minutes from beautiful open moorland, so it’s a great choice – whether you’re walking, cycling or running in the moor. Check out this weekend spent wild camping on Dartmoor, arriving and leaving from Ivybridge.

Okehampton

Okehampton sits pretty much opposite Ivybridge on the northern edge of Dartmoor. It’s the end of the recently re-opened Dartmoor line, and just 35 minutes from Exeter St Davids.

Exeter St Davids is on the main line from London Paddington, with journey times of just over 2 hours.

Trains to Okehampton run hourly throughout most of the day, but check journey planners or find the timetable here.

And if you need to stop the night, YHA Okehampton is right at the station – in fact, it’s a converted railway goods shed.

Adventures on Dartmoor…

Header image: Reopening of Okehampton Station – GWR