Between Plymouth And Exeter Is An Abandoned Medieval Village Inside A National Park With Ruins And Scenic Views

Just over 27 miles from Exeter Airport in Dartmoor National Park is a place so outrageously idyllic that you might suspect you've stepped into a fairy tale, and no one could blame you. Hound Tor is more than just a fascinating geological feature in the hills of Dartmoor's easternmost facet: It's also the site of a medieval village, at the center of what was Bronze Age farmland. Now folded within a national park that attracts more than 3 million visitors every year, it's just one of the many sights in the bucket-list-worthy park in England. You can get to Hound Tor by car, bus, or even on foot if you take the right moorland trails. 

The landscape of Hound Tor is so dramatic that the name is inspired by the same legend as Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's "The Hound of the Baskervilles." Rolling emerald hills extend as far as the eye can see, peppered with granite stones scattered throughout the grass and culminating in Hound Tor itself. 

Nestled in the hills are the remains of a 13th-century community, adding a unique historical background to the adventure. With numerous hiking trails weaving throughout the landscape of uniquely picturesque views, as well as the rest of Dartmoor National Park teasing an even bigger adventure, this collision of nature and history makes for an excellent day trip from other spots in beautiful Devon, like the English seaside escape Salcombe.

What is now a brilliantly photogenic landscape contoured by the stone remains of medieval homes was once a small village known as Hundatora. It had just a handful of structures known as longhouses built upon the hills. In these unique living quarters, families lived on one end of the structure and livestock on the other. This was to offer warmth and protection to both, particularly on hard winter nights. There were also corn-drying barns and some other, smaller structures. Sadly, the information we have about Hundatora, and exactly why it was abandoned, is sparse. 

What we do know is that it was occupied from as early as the Neolithic age, but by the late 1300s, it was deserted. There are two primary theories. First, a major famine affected the region in 1315 and lasted until 1317 (with three additional famines in the following years up until 1369). Second, the bubonic plague tore through Europe beginning in 1347, decimating the population and drastically changing the course of European history. It was likely a combination of the two factors that ended the days of Hundatora for good. 

Today, you can climb atop the Greator Rocks for a view of the village's remains from above. AllTrails rates the 3.7-mile hike as moderate, with an elevation gain of nearly 900 feet. The trail starts from the parking lot at Swallerton Gate, roughly 7 miles north of Ashburton. The weather can be finicky in Dartmoor, so dress for the temperature and have extra clothes ready in case of sudden rainstorms. You also can't go wrong with a good pair of hiking boots that you don't mind getting wet.

Hundatora is far from the only thing to see here; the little village is a tiny sliver of Dartmoor National Park. The park is 368 square miles of pure outdoor whimsy, boasting rolling hills, emerald moors, roaming rivers, wetlands, and peaceful trails. It is truly idyllic — sometimes you'll even see ponies grazing in the hills! Walk the trails, explore the ancient village, and cycle the bike-friendly paths that weave throughout. There are more than 217 miles of biking and bridleways to enjoy, and climbers of all skill levels also find recreation opportunities for bouldering peppered throughout the park.

Go horseback riding and explore what you can of the open moorland, historic byways, and woodland trails. If you want to fully immerse yourself in the experience, consider packing gear and head out on a wild camping adventure in the ancient landscape. There's plenty to explore, like Wistman's Wood Nature Preserve, one of Britain's oldest forests. Hoping to visit for a while and looking for somewhere nearby to hang your hat? The town of Ashburton is often called "the Southern Gateway to Dartmoor National Park."