Princetown: Prison History and Moorland

Princetown brings together the history of the penal system, distinctive buildings, moorland and routes for walks and cycling. If you’re looking for a hotel in Princetown, these different highlights can shape your plans: would you like to explore the town’s history, go for a walk or cover a longer distance by bike? The following places and routes offer a range of ways to do so.

Prison history and buildings

The Dartmoor Prison Museum presents more than 200 years of prison history. This spans Dartmoor’s beginnings as a prisoner-of-war camp for French and American prisoners, its later years as a prison, and its development up to the present day. The history on display therefore covers several successive periods: captivity as prisoners of war, imprisonment, and the development of the prison to today.

The history of the buildings also offers insight into different stages of the town’s development. The Plume of Feathers was built in 1785 by Charles Tyrwhitt of Tor Royal and is considered Princetown’s oldest significant building dating from the settlement’s founding. By contrast, the original building of the Old Duchy Hotel was constructed between 1809 and 1810 as accommodation for officers. They guarded the nearby prison and commanded the military barracks, which opened in 1809. The dates place the 1785 building alongside a later history of construction linked to the prison and barracks.

The Princetown War Memorial is a cross unveiled in 1921 to commemorate the First World War; additions were made later. Grade II listing was recommended. Also important for practical planning: the National Park Visitor Centre in Princetown closed in October 2025. The Dartmoor Prison Museum has its own free car park in front of the museum building. Check the parking situation before your visit.

Routes through the town and moorland

The Ball and Chain Historic Trail is an easy walk from one end of Princetown to the other. Along the way, you can discover characteristic features of the town. The route therefore crosses the village and focuses on the town itself.

For a different landscape perspective, take the short, accessible route across the moorland to South Hessary Tor. From there, views stretch across the moors to the sea when visibility allows; conditions depend on the weather. The two walking routes therefore differ mainly in focus: the Ball and Chain Historic Trail passes through Princetown, while the route to the tor focuses on open moorland and far-reaching views.

Moorland habitats along the Princetown Walk provide suitable habitats for species including skylarks, meadow pipits, common lizards and Fox Moth caterpillars. These species include birds, reptiles and moth caterpillars, giving a concrete impression of the diversity of habitats along the route.

A historic route is also part of the local landscape: the bridleway that runs here forms part of the Abbot’s Way, an old route through southern Dartmoor. It probably connected the medieval monastic foundations in Tavistock and Buckfast. The suggested connection between the two monastic foundations remains a historical interpretation.

Cycling routes between railway line and moor

The Granite & Gears Princetown Railway route offers 10- or 30-kilometre options along Princetown’s disused railway line. It passes granite quarries on the way to Burrator Reservoir. The former railway line and the quarries shape the route described; the two distances offer different options when planning your ride.

The Granite & Gears Princetown & Burrator route is 20 kilometres long. It starts in Princetown and crosses open moorland on permitted bridleways to Burrator Reservoir. Unlike the Railway route, this route focuses not on a disused railway line but on the crossing of moorland and bridleways. Both routes lead to Burrator Reservoir, but differ in length and the route described.

The distances give you a direct guide to the length of each ride: the Railway route offers 10 or 30 kilometres, while the Princetown & Burrator route is 20 kilometres. When planning, consider both the distance and the type of route. Conditions can change, so check them before setting off.

Discover more destinations: Bishop's Tawton, Sampford Peverell, Tipton Saint John, Berrynarbor, Hollacombe, Buckland Monachorum, Bere Alston, Yealmpton.

For the broader travel overview: Devon.