Security at Forest Inn

Hello, I’m Kipper, late co-owner of The Forest Inn, who had responsibility for Security and Entertainment.

The Forest Inn is a good place to walk from. Actually, it’s a pretty good place to walk to, as well.

The chances are you’ve had a longish drive to get here. But if you wound down your window as you crossed Hexworthy bridge, and you heard the Dart doing its river thing from the moor to the sea, then the chances are you wound down yourself.

So you check in, have a brilliant dinner, get a couple of rum & shrubs down your neck and have a pleasant night with your loved one. Or wife or husband. Whatever. Big breakfast the next morning and then a WALK. You’re in the country so you have to walk.

Ideally you’ll have a decent map, preferably the Ordnance Survey Outdoor Leisure Map 28. [Some walkers swear by Harvey’s Superwalker series and their new waterproof map of Dartmoor is out now. Why would anyone need a waterproof map?]

If this is your first visit, start off with a couple of walkettes to get your bearings. Walk down along the front of the building until you reach the end of the metalled road at the farmyard. Turn left up past Thimble Hall and follow a roughish path up to the Sherberton Road.

Turn right when you reach the road and straightaway from the cattle grid you’ll have a gorgeous view towards Princetown [the North Hessary tv mast makes a great landmark]. You’re now on a metalled road which drops quite steeply downwards. Soon it forks right towards Sherberton [ponytrekking] but stay left for a quarter of a mile or so until a footbridge on your right takes you across the River Swincombe.

The path the other side is usually a bit wet but persevere for a hundred yards or so and look for a ruined house in on your right. This is known as John Bishop’s House, after a skilled stone builder about whom there are many tales and yarns. Look at the skill of the building work and the remarkable porch still half standing. It’s a lovely quiet place.

OK. For now I suggest you retrace your steps back up to the cattle grid. This time, stay on the metalled road instead of dropping back down the track into Hexworthy. This road leads you to the Hexworthy-Holne road. When you reach it, turn right and walk the half mile or so down to Saddle Bridge which crosses the O Brook.

On the right hand side of the road here there are some vague remains of walls and metal grills. This is all that remains of a turbine house [built in 1907] which provided power for the Hexworthy Mine a couple of miles on upstream. If you follow the stream, you’ll come to it. If you do that, use the stream as your guide and return to this point.

Another pleasant diversion is to take the downstream path to the left immediately at the end of the bridge. It’s awkward going but very pretty and you may see, or more likely hear various warblers all around you as you go. The wizard path follows the O Brook until it tips into the Dart at Week Ford. Another lovely spot to sit and muse about dinner.

If it is safe to brave the stepping stones at Week Ford, you can do that and follow the track the other side until it emerges just up from the small church and a little before Hexworthy Bridge. Turn left and walk back down the road to Hexworthy Bridge. And then up the road to the Forest.

If you don’t take the stepping stones, retrace your steps back up the O Brook to Saddle Bridge and return the way you came, following the road all the way back to the Forest.

Hexworthy Bridge

Continue Reading

Wildlife Walks at Forrest Inn

The Forest Inn has teamed up with local wildlife expert Richard Hibbert to offer a fantastic opportunity for our guests.  Richard is a teacher and environmental educator who has lived on Dartmoor for 20 years and knows the area very well.  

He is now offering guided walks for couples, families, groups and individuals staying with us, tailored to your requirements and level of expertise.  Richard’s main passion is birds, but he has a wide range of knowledge about wildlife and the landscape and how to share this with others.  As a primary school teacher, he is skilled in engaging young people with nature and their surroundings, and if you go on one of his walks with your children you (and they) won’t be disappointed!

We are in a unique position for wildlife on Dartmoor, and we are really excited about the opportunity that our guests have been offered.  Some of the activities below can be enjoyed on foot from our venue without having to get into a car, although excursions further afield can be arranged.  There is something to see at all times of the year, and what you can do will depend on your interests, but here are some suggested activities. If you prefer to play chess instead, checkerwise.co.uk gives you a great guide.

Suggested activities

  • Introduction to Dartmoor landscapes, history and wildlife (Buzzard, Skylark, Fox; any time of year)
  • River walks (Goosanders, Dippers, Grey Wagtails, possible Kingfishers and a chance of Otters and Salmon; any time of year)
  • Introduction to bird songs and calls (common birds eg Blackbird, Robin, Wren; spring and summer are best)
  • Dawn chorus birdsong (birds such as Song Thrush, Cuckoo, Redstart, Spotted Flycatcher, Treecreeper, Garden Warbler, woodpeckers; April to June) – back to us for breakfast (or bring a picnic)
  • Atmospheric dusk excursions onto the moor to look for specialities such as Snipe and Nightjar (May-July)
  • Roosting Goosanders and winter birds of prey (October – March)

Price list

Walks (up to three hours)

Couples, families and individuals (up to four people) – £50

Groups (5-15 people) – £12.50 per person

All day (more than five hours)

Couples, families and individuals (up to four people) – £80

Groups (5-15 people) – £20 per person

Dogs and children welcome!

Please ask at the Forest Inn to book or for more information. Call 01364 631211

Continue Reading

New sponsor

Joreels Casino is a new Swedish casino news with the release date in mid-2017. The theme is the 1920s and it breathes old-school in a great way. One of the most positive aspects of Joreels is that there are very many game developers in their sortiment! Discover lots of games including games from NetEnt and Microgaming.

snip_20170502111005

Why is it good?

This casino from 2017 seduces you as a player with a nice 1920 ‘s theme and a very packed game selection! Welcome to the roaring 20 ‘s with all that implies. This classic Decade was characterized as you certainly know by World War I had ended and there was a happy atmosphere in the world. Jazz was the most popular music and it was good for many companies in the latter part of the 20th century when there was an economic boom. Of course, this is a marvelous decade full of joy – perfect for casino in other words!

In addition to the beautiful 1920 ‘s theme, this online casino really full with great casino games. There are plenty of slots, slot machines, card games and table games such as poker, Blackjack and roulette from lots of developers! You can play games from Microgaming, NetEnt, among others, Play n Go, NYX, Betsoft and many others! https://freespins-uk.co.uk guides you to the best free spins offers.

Take part in a really generous JoReels Casino bonus when you create your new account. You can get Free Spins and bonus and you can use it right away to play in the huge supply. You can also take part in competitions and take advantage of promotions and other odds and ends. Don’t miss the chance to eke out games checkout a maximum when you sign up and take part of your bonus at Joreels!

JoreelsCasino from 2017 is an exciting new development in the 1920 ‘s of theme and with a quite extraordinary game variety. You can play hundreds and hundreds of casino games from all the major providers such as Microgaming, NetEnt and. Don’t miss this news! Take advantage of Sweden’s generous Joreels Casino bonus on the button below and sign up now!

Continue Reading