No visit to Devon is complete without at least a day spent exploring Dartmoor National Park. It’s the perfect place to get away from it all, with 368 square miles of spectacular landscapes punctuated by iconic granite tors and its famous semi-wild ponies.

It’s not all wilderness. Nestled within the rolling hills, lush valleys, ancient forests and wide expanses of heather and gorse are picturesque villages and small towns – and fortunately for people who work up a thirst by experiencing the region with a nice, long walk, there are several great pubs where you can relax and enjoy a refreshing drink and maybe also a hearty meal. If good food is your top priority, take a look at the Dartmoor section of our guide to the best restaurants in Devon.

Dartmoor has many of Devon’s oldest, loveliest and most interesting places to eat. Below, we have rounded up some of the best pubs on Dartmoor – but remember to check with the pub before making a special journey as opening times and food service times can vary with the seasons. If you want to immerse yourself in the magic of the moors completely, you can book a stay in one of our Dartmoor holiday cottages.

Skip to:

• Warren House Inn, Postbridge
• The Rugglestone Inn, Widecombe in the Moor
• Fingle Bridge Inn, Drewsteignton
• The Rock Inn, Haytor Vale
• The Tors Inn, Belstone
• Bearslake Inn, Sourton
• Royal Oak Inn, Meavy
• The Old Inn, Widecombe in the Moor
• The Highwayman Inn, Sourton

Warren House Inn, Postbridge

The Warren House Inn, right in the heart of the national park, is probably the best-known pub on Dartmoor. Originally built to serve tin miners, it sits in a secluded spot and today continues to thrive thanks to people passing by on the B3212 which cuts across the middle of Dartmoor. The cosy fire is said to have been burning continuously since 1845. It’s the highest pub in southern England and, unsurprisingly given its remote location, the walks and views are top notch. Try taking a walk to Birch Tor and Headland Warren.

Food is served all day from noon. It has an extensive menu that caters for all tastes and uses local produce as much as possible, including Dartmoor beef and lamb. It’s famous for its rabbit pie. The pub also offers a range of real ales. 

The Rugglestone Inn, Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Photo credit: Tracey Elliot Reep/ The Rugglestone Inn

The picture-perfect ‘Ruggle’, as it’s affectionately known, was originally a cottage but was turned into an inn in 1823. The Rugglestone Inn is in a peaceful location, next to a pretty stream and just a short walk from the centre of the picturesque East Dartmoor village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Inside, a wood burner and open log fire help to create a cosy atmosphere, while outside, there’s a large garden with picnic tables from which you can enjoy the views. 

There’s an extensive menu with homemade meals using locally sourced produce. There is always a gluten free and vegetarian dish available. The bar offers real ales, farm cider and a comprehensive wine list.

Fingle Bridge Inn, Drewsteignton

This family-run bar and restaurant is in a beautiful spot on the banks of the River Teign. Fingle Bridge Inn is a great place to start or end a walk along the Teign Gorge. Eat indoors by the log fire or outdoors on the terrace overlooking the bridge and river. If you don’t have a dog with you, it’s possible to extend your day out in the North Dartmoor area by visiting the nearby National Trust property, Castle Drogo.

Fingle Bridge Inn offers a variety of food from quick snacks to three-course meals. Its Sunday carveries and cream teas are very popular. The emphasis is on quality produce, ample portions and enjoyable surroundings. 

The Rock Inn, Haytor Vale

Photo credit: The Rock Inn

This is an 18th-century pub, restaurant and hotel situated very close to arguably Dartmoor’s most famous landmark, Haytor, in East Dartmoor. The restaurant, which has two AA Rosettes, offers lunch and dinner to residents and a small number of non-residents. The intimate bar area has features such as brass-work, oak furnishings and log fires.

The Rock Inn offers real ales from the local Dartmoor Brewery, which is based in Princetown, next to Dartmoor Prison. It also offers an extensive range of wines by the glass, ports and malt whiskies. The chefs produce imaginative and varied dishes using freshly caught fish, locally sourced meat and game, and locally grown produce.

The Tors Inn, Belstone

The Tors is a dog-friendly pub situated in Belstone, which is in North Dartmoor, near Okehampton. It has an outdoor kitchen and BBQ called The Shed which operates from April to September. Its beer garden opens directly out onto Dartmoor and has wonderful views.

It offers a traditional pub menu and uses only the best possible ingredients, sourced locally. It is passionate about ‘smoked-slow-and-low’ dishes. Its beers, ales and ciders are all made by Devon microbreweries, and it also offers local gins, vodkas, rums and wines. Even the coffee is roasted on Dartmoor!

Bearslake Inn, Sourton

Photo credit: Bearslake Inn

Situated right on the edge of North West Dartmoor, the 13th-century Bearslake Inn is easy to reach but still set in glorious countryside begging to be explored. The spacious garden has brilliant views over Sourton Tor which, along with Corn Ridge and Great Links Tor, is accessible by foot. The Granite Way cycle path runs directly behind the inn. Food is served throughout the cosy pub and restaurant area and when the weather allows, it’s also served in the garden which has a babbling stream and views over Dartmoor.  

The restaurant serves pub classics and the chefs specialise in local produce. The cheese, ice cream and smoked products all come from local suppliers. The bar is set in the oldest part of the thatched inn. It serves guest ales, Westcountry gins, local spirits and fine whiskies. The wine list is curated by local wine merchants. Mixers and soft drinks are sourced solely from Devon.

Royal Oak Inn, Meavy

This historic pub in the South West of Dartmoor takes its name from the oak tree on the village green it overlooks, which is reputedly around 800 years old. Royal Oak Inn is a former church house and it’s one of just a handful of pubs in the UK owned by its parish council. A vital part of its community, it’s also popular with visitors and ramblers from all over Devon.

It aims to offer a high standard of pub food, with everything homemade using local suppliers and produce where possible. There’s a specials board with options for the more adventurous and it serves a Sunday roast. 

The Old Inn, Widecombe-in-the-Moor

Photo credit: The Old Inn

The Old Inn is situated in the heart of the East Dartmoor village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor and has a spectacular view over Hameldown. It has log fires in the winter but when the weather is good you can dine al fresco in the moorland garden. 

The pub offers fresh and hearty classic dishes and modern British cuisine in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. It caters to all tastes and dietary requirements. There’s a reasonably wide range of gins, rums and whiskies. 

The Highwayman Inn, Sourton

The Highwayman Inn in Sourton, near Okehampton, has been described as ‘the most unusual pub in Britain’. Once you step in through the old stagecoach, you’ll have a pub experience unlike any other. It’s packed with eclectic artefacts and curios – and it even has a resident ghost! Find a nook or cranny to enjoy a drink or two, and take it all in. 

The food menu features pub classics such as pies, pasties and fish and chips, and there are plenty of options for vegans. 

Map of the best pubs on Dartmoor

Find all the best pubs on Dartmoor mentioned above with the help of our handy map.

Stay with us on Dartmoor

Whether you’re seeking solitude and introspection, or adventure and exploration, you’re likely to have an unforgettable time on Dartmoor. The wilderness is best enjoyed on foot, and after a long walk soaking up nature, you can enjoy some refreshment in a traditional moorland pub. You’ll want a good night’s rest so you feel up to doing it all again the next day, so take a look through our range of self-catering accommodation and start planning your Dartmoor getaway today. For more inspiration, check out our top things to do on Dartmoor guide.