Two Bridges in Dartmoor: Nature, Trails and History

Two Bridges lies in a secluded location in the heart of Dartmoor National Park on the West Dart. The history of the place is closely connected with bridges and crossings. Anyone looking for a holiday apartment or holiday cottage in a peaceful Dartmoor setting can plan a trip here that combines walking experiences, distinctive landscapes and historical discoveries.

Wistman’s Wood: Trails with Different Levels of Difficulty

One of the most distinctive experiences around Two Bridges is Wistman’s Wood, a National Nature Reserve that is important because of its sensitive mosses and lichens. The Wistman’s Wood Walk from the Two Bridges Hotel to Wistman’s Wood and on to Crockern Tor is approximately 5 miles long and includes a steep ascent to Longaford Tor. A shorter option is the out-and-back route from the small visitor car park opposite the Two Bridges Hotel: this route is approximately 4 kilometres long.

The condition of the trail is important when planning the day. After a gate, the path becomes narrower; the remaining section is uneven, muddy and wet. The distance and ascent should therefore be taken into account when choosing the excursion. Wistman’s Wood is also home to the extremely rare lichen Bryoria smithii, which occurs at only two locations in the United Kingdom. This also makes the place interesting for families who want to discover nature not only through its views, but also through its distinctive habitats.

Menhir, Leat and Dartmoor Landscape

Nearby, the Beardown Man menhir is designated as a Scheduled Monument. It is one of only two reliably documented examples of a freestanding menhir on Dartmoor. The Devonport Leat, an artificial water channel, also runs nearby. Those who want to combine walks with observations of cultural history will find a range of opportunities to take a closer look at the landscape.

The region also offers a clear point of reference for longer cycle tours: the Dartmoor Way is a 90-mile circular cycle route through Dartmoor National Park and can be ridden in either direction. Two Bridges has long been an important crossing point on Dartmoor. Its secluded location is therefore particularly well suited to trip planning in which the landscape and the journey itself set the pace.

Bridge History and Local Refreshments

A map from 1765 suggests that the name Two Bridges derives from a road that crossed the West Dart and the River Cowsic above their confluence and therefore required two separate bridges. Two bridges were built as stone arch bridges between 1773 and 1774. A flood destroyed the bridge known as “Two Bridges” in 1784; a bridge was subsequently rebuilt at the present location.

The history of the place also includes a former inn. In 1792, a coaching inn was built in Two Bridges and given the name “Saracen’s Head”. In the early 20th century, the inn was given its present name, “Two Bridges Hotel”. A Devon Cream Tea with warm homemade scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream is served there and can be enjoyed in the lounges or in the riverside gardens.

Choose Two Bridges as a Holiday Destination

Accommodation in Two Bridges is particularly suitable for travellers who want to experience Dartmoor as a natural and cultural landscape. The available trails range from an approximately 4-kilometre out-and-back route to a roughly 5-mile route with a steep ascent. Together with Wistman’s Wood, Beardown Man, the Devonport Leat, the Dartmoor Way and the history of the bridges, this creates a varied programme without the place losing its secluded character.

More places to compare: Bratton Fleming, Abbotskerswell, Witheridge, Colyton, Horrabridge, Bampton, Buckland Brewer, Exminster

For the main travel overview: Devon.