Widecombe in the Moor and Wooder Goyle

/ 27/04/2025

After 6 weeks without any rain at all through March and into April, the Easter period brought a few showers and some cloudy weather. In the main it was still dry, but the ground, and particularly Dartmoor, needed some rain. This walk was after a rainy night, and walked in improving weather as the morning moved into afternoon. Its a very simple walk, out from Widecombe along a long lane to Natsworthy, then turn left onto the moor proper and contour back halfway up Hameldown. The outward section picks up the Dartmoor 365 square of the Miolstone, and the return the lovely outcrop of Wooder Goyle Rocks. The highlight of the walk is the valley which runs from Natsworthy along to the welcoming village of Widecombe in the Moor, which nestles itself between the bulk of Hameldown, the tors around Chinkwell and Blackslade Down. We had a good poke around Widecombe, having found one of the lucky parking spots in the layby just short of the village. We had a look in the church to start with and finished with a pint in the Old Inn, opposite the church. A fine little walk to fill in those days were the main part of the moor can be left for another time.

Start – Widecombe parking

Route – Widecombe – Widecombe Church – Wooder Manor – Stouts Cottages – Miolstone – Natsworthy Manor – Hameldown – Wooder Goyle Rocks – Old Inn – Widecombe

Distance – 5 miles  Start time – 11.45am  Time taken – 3hrs 15mins Highest Point – Lower slopes of Hameldown 420 metres

Weather – Mainly cloudy

© Crown copyright 2025 Ordnance Survey FL 2025 SF
We’d parked in the layby just short of the village. First sight on our left as we enter the village is the tower of St Pancras, Cathedral of the Moor
The village green
The Church House is on the left here, its a National Trust place and also goes by the name Sexton’s cottage, and is part gift shop, part art gallery. The church dominates this area and we head through the lych gate over there next
Inside the church. St Pancras was struck by lightning in 1638 during a great storm, a written description is on 4 large pieces of wood behind me here
The cut off rood screen, pictures of saints across this and the other 4 parts to my left here.
After Widecombe we got on with the walk, here heading out along the lane with Chinkwell and Honeybag tors ahead
The tors around Haytor and Blackslade Down are above us
Ponies at Wooder Manor
Mossy walls on our way to the Miolstone, which is exactly a mile from the church step in Widecombe
Stout’s Cottages, there are two and we had a nosey around the outsides
Bluebells in the garden of the cottages
We were a bit taken by the cottages and on leaving a car stopped and asked if we were the owners, I guess plenty of folk wouldn’t mind refurbing the place. We had walked by the Miolstone at this point looking at the fields holding llamas
Nearing Natsworthy and looking at the back of Honeybag Tor
Natsworthy Manor
On to the moor proper now, Hameldown up to the left here, we won’t be heading that far up, just about 2/3rds of the way and left contour around left
Along the valley to Widecombe, Honeybag and Chinkwell left, rising up to Hameldown on the right
Lunch spot looking to Honeybag and Chinkwell Tors. peeking up between the two of them is Haytor, and back right is Rippon Tor
Linda contour walking along the side of Hameldown
Looking back at the Natsworthy area. Easdon Tor back centre
A place called Bagpark is below. Chinkwell Tor is left and Rippon Tor is the high point back right, way in the centre at the back is Ramshorn Down
This little one came running up to us, assuming we were in charge. Thankfully mum was bleating a hundred yards away and this one ran off looking for her.
Wooder Goyle Rocks, more in the trees down on the left here
Clitter around the Wooder Goyle area, Hameldown is up there to the right
Widecombe comes into view now as we look for the gate in the corner to take us down the lane
St Pancras sticking up as we walk along the lane
A drink to finish before heading home to do more gardening to try and wrestle our space (and plant lots of flowers and veg) into something nice for the summer months
Old Inn, Widecombe
A bit brighter to finish than when we started, but this is a good walk for a day like this, not too much sunshine, so stay quite low and enjoy the lanes.

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14 thoughts on “Widecombe in the Moor and Wooder Goyle”

  2. What a lovely walk! The blend of Dartmoor’s beauty and the charm of Widecombe in the Moor sounds perfect. I particularly enjoyed hearing about the church’s history and the quaint Stout’s Cottages. This walk is definitely on my list for a future visit—thanks for sharing your experience!

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  3. A pity Widecombe gets so crowded. Used to like the walks down from there to the Dart as well. One of my regulars was the Widecombe Horseshoe – up on to Hameldon, along to Grimspound, down to Natsworthy, Chinkwell and Bonehill Rocks. Used to do it in every season of the year.

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