Attractions and Places To See around Broadwoodkelly - Top 19
Best attractions and places to see around Broadwoodkelly, a tranquil village in Devon, offers a blend of historical intrigue and natural beauty. The area features significant historical sites and picturesque natural landscapes, providing a peaceful rural atmosphere. Visitors can explore ancient fortifications, winding river trails, and charming local settlements. The region is ideal for those seeking to discover historical landmarks and enjoy the natural environment.
Best attractions and places to see around Broadwoodkelly
- The most popular attractions is East Okement River Trail, a viewpoint that winds through exquisite woodlands alongside the East Okement River. This trail features a wonderful waterfall, old oak trees, and plenty of mossy rocks, making it particularly vibrant in late spring and summer.
- Another must-see spot is Heywood Castle Motte and Bailey, a historical site overlooking the Taw Valley. These remains of an early medieval motte and bailey castle offer a glimpse into the region's past, with the circular motte standing about 8 meters high and almost 50 meters in diameter.
- Visitors also love Okehampton Station, an other man-made structure that once served as an important railway junction. It is situated on the edge of multiple hiking and cycling routes and continues to draw visitors, also housing a youth hostel.
- Broadwoodkelly is known for its historical sites, natural features like rivers and woodlands, and local settlements. The area offers a variety of attractions to see and explore, from ancient castles to scenic walking trails.
- The attractions around Broadwoodkelly are appreciated by the komoot community, with over 100 upvotes and 15 photos shared.
Last updated: July 7, 2026
Okehampton Station
Highlight • Structure
Now, the station lies quiet but is home to a youth hostel. It's on the edge on multiple hiking and cycling routes, and still draws visitors.
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Heywood Castle Motte and Bailey
Highlight • Historical Site
Heywood CastleAt Heywood the circular motte is about 8 metres high and almost 50 metres in diameter, surrounded by a rock-cut ditch 4 metres wide and 2 metres deep. Around the top of the motte is a bank, up to 4 metres high in places. The crescent shaped bailey which lies to the north-east of the motte is 60 metres long and 40 metres wide and bounded on all sides by a bank 2 metres rising to about 4 metres on the eastern side, where there is an entrance with a causeway across the ditch which extends to the outer bank, which surrounds both the motte and bailey. From the bailey to the motte on the north east side there is the possibility of a bridgeway. On the north side of the bailey a more modern entrance has been formed.
devon.gov.uk/historicenvironment/explore-devons-heritage/heywood-castle-eggesford
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East Okement River Trail
Highlight (Segment) • Viewpoint
This trail is particularly glorious in late spring and throughout the summer thanks to its vivid greens and multitude of flowers and birds. You can walk it at any time of year, but wear sturdy boots during winter as the trail can get muddy and rough after wet weather.
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Abbeyford Woods
Highlight • Trail
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Hatherleigh
Highlight • Settlement
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Tips from the Community
Free parking for walkers and cyclists in the YHA car park on the south side of the railway line, access is after the rail overbridge.
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Ignore the out dated previous post. Okehampton station now has a regular train service and is an incredible gateway to some of the most accessible and stunning rides in the country (e.g. to Barnstaple and Plymouth) allowing you to complete your adventures by train. Don't miss.....
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This is a beautiful riverside walk with lots of quaint wooden bridges, moss covered stone walls and good trails.
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Once an important junction, Okehampton station now languishes in nostalgia with services suspended and an uncertain future. Opened in the 19th century, the station served Exeter, Bude, Padstow and Plymouth, as well as Meldon quarry. Suffering in the Beeching Cuts, Okehampton retained some trains thanks to the quarry freight, but eventually only heritage trains ran during the summer. Now, the station lies quiet but is home to a youth hostel. It's on the edge on multiple hiking and cycling routes, and still draws visitors.
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This path winds through exquisite woodlands alongside the East Okement River and has a magical feel about it. Walking along this trail, you’ll see a wonderful waterfall, old oak trees and plenty of mossy rocks. This trail is particularly glorious in late spring and throughout the summer thanks to its vivid greens and multitude of flowers and birds. You can walk it at any time of year, but wear sturdy boots during winter as the trail can get muddy and rough after wet weather.
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Overlooking the TawValley, at the northern end of Heywood Wood, stand the remains of an early medieval motte and bailey castle. Motte and bailey castles are medieval fortifications introduced into Britain by the Normans. This type of castle was made up of an artificial mound, or motte, on which was built a wooden or stone structure known as a keep. Next to this at least one bailey, a fortified embanked enclosure containing additional buildings, would be built. Although many were occupied for only a short period of time, motte and bailey castles continued to be built and occupied from the 11th to the 13th centuries, after which they were superseded by other types of castle. Heywood CastleAt Heywood the circular motte is about 8 metres high and almost 50 metres in diameter, surrounded by a rock-cut ditch 4 metres wide and 2 metres deep. Around the top of the motte is a bank, up to 4 metres high in places. The crescent shaped bailey which lies to the north-east of the motte is 60 metres long and 40 metres wide and bounded on all sides by a bank 2 metres rising to about 4 metres on the eastern side, where there is an entrance with a causeway across the ditch which extends to the outer bank, which surrounds both the motte and bailey. From the bailey to the motte on the north east side there is the possibility of a bridgeway. On the north side of the bailey a more modern entrance has been formed. https://www.devon.gov.uk/historicenvironment/explore-devons-heritage/heywood-castle-eggesford/
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Frequently Asked Questions
What historical sites can I explore around Broadwoodkelly?
You can delve into the region's past by visiting Heywood Castle Motte and Bailey, the remains of an early medieval Norman fortification overlooking the Taw Valley. Another significant historical structure is Okehampton Station, which once served as an important railway junction and is now a historical landmark. The village also features the Broadwoodkelly Church and its churchyard, forming a key cultural and historical focal point.
Are there any scenic walking trails or natural features to discover?
Absolutely. The East Okement River Trail offers a picturesque path through woodlands, featuring a wonderful waterfall, ancient oak trees, and mossy rocks. You can also explore Abbeyford Woods near Okehampton, which provides miles of walking trails among Douglas Fir and beech trees, with opportunities to spot wildlife. The wider area around Broadwoodkelly is crisscrossed with footpaths and quiet country lanes, often providing views towards Dartmoor.
What family-friendly activities are available near Broadwoodkelly?
For families, Abbeyford Woods offers easy walking and cycling trails suitable for all ages. The nearby town of Hatherleigh is a charming rural town with local amenities, making it a good base for exploring. Additionally, many of the local footpaths around Broadwoodkelly are suitable for leisurely family strolls.
Can I find accessible attractions in the Broadwoodkelly area?
Okehampton Station is noted as being wheelchair accessible and offers free parking for walkers and cyclists in the YHA car park, making it a convenient starting point for exploring nearby routes.
Where can I go for cycling or road cycling near Broadwoodkelly?
The area around Broadwoodkelly is excellent for cycling. You can find various routes, including the 'Tarka Trail – River Taw loop from Hatherleigh' (difficult) or the 'Mosaic Otter Sculpture – Tarka the Otter Sculpture loop from Meeth' (easy). For road cycling, consider routes like 'River Okement – Sticklepath Store & Tea Room loop from Monkokehampton' or 'Okehampton Castle – Okehampton Castle Ruins loop from Winkleigh'. More details on these and other cycling routes can be found in the Cycling around Broadwoodkelly and Road Cycling Routes around Broadwoodkelly guides.
Are there running trails around Broadwoodkelly?
Yes, there are several running trails available. Options include a 'Running loop from Iddesleigh' (moderate, 9.8 km) or the 'North Tawton Town Square – Ashridge Court Gateposts loop from North Tawton' (moderate, 6.2 km). These routes offer varied terrain for runners. You can find more running options in the Running Trails around Broadwoodkelly guide.
What is the best time of year to visit Broadwoodkelly for outdoor activities?
Late spring and summer are particularly vibrant for exploring the natural beauty around Broadwoodkelly. The East Okement River Trail, for instance, is described as glorious during these months due to its vivid greens, multitude of flowers, and birds. While walks can be enjoyed year-round, sturdy boots are recommended during winter as trails can become muddy after wet weather.
Are there any charming villages or towns nearby worth visiting?
Yes, Hatherleigh is a sleepy rural town located nearby, offering local amenities such as a village shop, post office, and two pubs. It serves as a convenient rest stop or a good base for exploring the wider Dartmoor National Park area.
Where can I find parking for walks and attractions in the area?
For walks starting near Okehampton Station, there is free parking available for walkers and cyclists in the YHA car park on the south side of the railway line. Abbeyford Woods also has a good-sized car park just off the country lane that runs through its center.
What are some lesser-known historical spots or hidden gems in the Broadwoodkelly area?
Beyond the prominent sites, you can discover the ruins of Moistown within the grounds of Pattiland Farm in Broadwoodkelly, which was once a significant house in the village. The Broadwoodkelly Church and its surrounding churchyard also offer a peaceful glimpse into the village's heritage and are part of a small conservation area.
What kind of terrain can I expect on walks around Broadwoodkelly?
The terrain around Broadwoodkelly varies. You'll find picturesque paths through woodlands, such as the East Okement River Trail, which can be muddy and rough after wet weather, requiring sturdy boots. Other routes involve quiet country lanes and footpaths, often providing gentle gradients and scenic views towards Dartmoor. The area is generally characterized by rural landscapes.
What do visitors enjoy most about the attractions around Broadwoodkelly?
Visitors particularly appreciate the magical feel of the East Okement River Trail, with its wonderful waterfall and ancient trees. The imposing historical presence of Heywood Castle Motte and Bailey, even without standing structures, is highly regarded. The convenience of Okehampton Station as a gateway to hiking and cycling routes is also a highlight for many.
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