Discover Shaugh Prior

Shaugh Prior combines open heathland, traces of human settlement dating back thousands of years and a vivid industrial history. Anyone looking for holiday accommodation for a trip combining natural and cultural experiences will find various points of interest here: from the tors of Dartmoor and the remains of Bronze Age settlements to traces of old transport routes and commercial activity.

Heathland, Streams and China Clay Pits

The parish of Shaugh Prior encompasses open heathland crossed by streams between the tors of Dartmoor. The central area is characterised by china clay pits above the villages of Lee Moor and Wotter. To the south, a belt of farmland and woodland adjoins it. As a result, the landscape is not a uniform backdrop, but rather a combination of heathland, waterways, cultivated areas and industrially shaped surroundings.

If you enjoy taking in landscapes while also looking for historical traces, Shaugh Prior can be explored in varied ways without limiting the trip to just one type of experience.

Bronze Age Traces and St Edward's Church

The heathland contains traces of human settlement dating back more than 2,000 years. Remains of Bronze Age settlements are still visible near Trowlesworthy Warren. There are also clearly recognisable high walls, pillow mounds and dog kennels. These details give the landscape a historical dimension that is particularly suited to visitors who want to learn not only about a view, but also about the former use of a place.

The village is home to St Edward's Church, the oldest surviving building in the parish. The building was constructed largely between the 14th and 16th centuries in several phases. Notable features include the west tower, the south porch with its vaulted roof and a 15th-century font cover. Stone crosses marked routes near the church. A church house beside St Edward's Church provided overnight accommodation for monks and other travellers, adding to the picture of the village's history.

Industrial History around Shaugh Bridge

Traces of clay processing and transport are also present in Shaugh Prior. The old route of the Lee Moor Tramway is still clearly visible today. The tramway transported clay and finished goods to Plymouth; bricks and sanitary ware were produced at the clay works near the pits. Near Shaugh Bridge, there are also remains of a 19th-century iron mine, a quarry tramway and a brick kiln.

Those travelling with children can use such places to connect the landscape with everyday history: alongside the visible natural environment, they also make questions about raw materials, crafts and former transport routes tangible, without a visit having to consist solely of museum content.

Walking Ideas, Woodland and Granite

Near Shaugh Bridge, walks follow the River Meavy through old oak woodland valleys; the upper Plym Valley can also be explored. The ancient oak woodland belongs to the United Kingdom's rare temperate rainforest habitat. Another distinctive landscape feature is Dewerstone Rock, a 160 m-high granite outcrop with more than 100 climbing routes.

The “Plym Valley bricks, boulders and bronze” walking route begins at the National Trust car park at Shaugh Bridge near Shaugh Prior. Along the way, it passes quarries, a 19th-century brickworks and a Bronze Age burial site. This gives you a choice of nature observation and themed discoveries when planning your day. Shaugh Bridge is also half a mile from Route 27 of the National Cycle Network.

The Right Accommodation for Planning Your Trip

When looking for holiday accommodation in Shaugh Prior, it is worth first deciding on the mix of experiences you want from your trip. Should woodland, river landscapes and granite take centre stage, or would you prefer to focus more on Bronze Age traces, the church and industrial history? Accommodation in Shaugh Prior can serve as a base from which to plan your days according to your interests, combining nature, local history and walking routes. The range of themes also makes the village interesting when family members have different ideas about their holiday.

For a further comparison within the range of destinations, you can also view Dunkeswell, Liverton, Brixton, Two Bridges, East Putford, Stoke Rivers, Bishop's Tawton and Newton Saint Petrock.

To the main travel overview: Devon.