The town is home to the picturesque Okehampton Castle, which dates to the Domesday Book and sits in an elevated position above beautiful woodland walking trails in the Okehampton Old Town Park Local Nature Reserve where the West Okement River runs. The Castle was first started just after the Norman Conquest, with a moat, as a Motte and Bailey castle.

Two Castles Trail, Tarka Trail, Granite Way and the West Devon Way to Plymouth are all easily accessible from the town centre. There are guided walks from and around the town, wild swimming in the rivers, a golf course, museum, gym, swimming pool and the extremely beautiful Simmons Park in the centre of town.

Visit the Victorian Arcade for a peek back into history, it’s well worth exploring! John Palmer’s Arcade Hotel was built early in 1906 and was part of the Victorian Arcade; the hotel had electricity, which was a big tick back then, with the hotel rooms built over the shops. The main entrance used to be from St James Street, not Fore Street as most people visit today.

Red Lion Yard is an attractive outdoor area surrounded by a wide range of shops, places to eat and find fresh produce, and is home to the Okehampton Saturday Market.

Be sure to enjoy some time in the jewel of Okehampton’s crown, the beautiful Simmons Park. This much-loved park has the East Okement River running through it, shady woodland with many trails and acres of recreation land, sports facilities, children’s playpark and some of the most wonderful gardens, pools and waterfalls you could wish for.

Several National Trust properties are in easy reach, Finch Foundry, Lydford Gorge and Castle Drogo are all well worth a visit.

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