Two Bridges: Walking and History in Dartmoor

Two Bridges offers several clearly defined themes for a stay: walks to Wistman’s Wood, cycling on the Dartmoor Way, and the history of the river crossings. When choosing a hotel, you can consider whether you’re mainly interested in walking, exploring a cycling route or learning about the history of the bridges.

Landscape and nearby landmarks

Two Bridges lies in a secluded spot in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, on the West Dart, and is considered a scenic place. The Devonport Leat, a man-made water channel, runs nearby. Beardown Man, a standing stone designated as a Scheduled Monument, is also close by. On Dartmoor, it is one of only two confirmed examples of a freestanding standing stone. The water channel and monument thus represent different aspects of the surrounding area.

Walks to Wistman’s Wood

The Wistman’s Wood Walk leads from the Two Bridges Hotel to Wistman’s Wood and on to Crockern Tor; the route is about five miles long. This route includes a steep climb to Longaford Tor. There is also a small visitor car park opposite the hotel. The round trip from there to Wistman’s Wood is listed as about four kilometres. These figures do not refer to the same walk: the five-mile distance also includes Crockern Tor, while the four-kilometre distance describes the round trip from the car park to the wood. After a gate, this path becomes narrower; the remaining section is uneven, muddy and wet.

Wistman’s Wood and its nature

Wistman’s Wood is a National Nature Reserve and is important for its delicate mosses and lichens. The extremely rare horsehair lichen (Bryoria smithii), which occurs at only two sites in Great Britain, also grows there. The wood is therefore not just a destination on the walks described, but also a special habitat. When planning your time in the area, you can consider the information about the route length and the importance of this protected natural area as separate points of reference.

Cycling on the Dartmoor Way

The Dartmoor Way also offers cyclists a clearly described way to explore Dartmoor: this circular cycling route is 90 miles long and passes through the national park. It can be ridden in either direction. Its length and circular route provide a concrete framework for planning, while the choice of direction is up to you. Alongside the walking trails to Wistman’s Wood, it offers a separate cycling route as another option for your stay.

Bridges and local history

Two Bridges has long been an important crossing point on Dartmoor. A map from 1765 suggests that the place name derives from a road that crossed the West Dart and the River Cowsic above their confluence, requiring two separate bridges. Two bridges at Two Bridges were built as stone arch bridges between 1773 and 1774. In 1784, a flood destroyed the bridge known as “Two Bridges”; a bridge was subsequently rebuilt at the present site. The road bridge at Two Bridges may have replaced earlier clapper bridges. In the early 20th century, the inn acquired its present name, “Two Bridges Hotel”.

Devon cream tea at the Two Bridges Hotel

The Two Bridges Hotel serves Devon cream tea with warm homemade scones, strawberry jam and clotted cream. You can enjoy it in the hotel lounges or in the riverside gardens. This hotel offering complements the trails and local history with a specific culinary option.

Discover more destinations: Ottery Saint Mary, Uplyme, Coffinswell, Westward Ho, Stoke Rivers, Broadwoodwidger, Spreyton, Bigbury-on-Sea

For the main travel overview: Devon.