Princetown at about 1400 feet above sea level.
(Wikipedia says 453 metres) Princetown is the highest town on Dartmoor and most people know that Dartmoor Prison is here.
Nowadays it is a Category C prison, but to see it floodlit on a misty night, lights glowing from the windows of the high granite buildings – you can see why it was once a hard place to serve a sentence, and why it is such an imposing place. The Prison Museum is well worth a visit, and houses a fascinating range of artefact's and information.
The town is steeped in history having been a visitor destination since Victorian times, and hence it having plenty of
eating and drinking places. The Plume of Feathers is reputedly the oldest building in the village, and some say haunted.
Princetown has it's own brewery making the famous 'Jail Ale' which you will find in pubs and shops all over Devon.
Surely a bottle would be the perfect take home gift for yourselves or the neighbour who's been feeding your cat !
There's a fish and chip shop, cafe food and you can buy provisions from the well stocked Post Office if you are camping.
Weary walkers might like to recover with a hot mug of chocolate on the comfortable leather sofas in the Fox Tor cafe.
The Higher Moorland Visitor Centre is housed in the old Officer's Mess and opposite is the Centre for Creativity.
Colourful Princetown Carnival is held in the height of the Summer. As yet we do not know this years date.
But the minute we do it will be shown on our What's on page
Princetown area Bed and Breakfast Accommodation
We received a nice warm welcome from Sally at Princetown. She offers 2 doubles plus a well equipped separate annexe to come and go as you please. As a family room under 5's free, £5 for kids 6 - 11, £10 for 12 to 18 years. Prices reduced for longer stays.
Sally offers out of season deals too. Take a look at her website for any current offers.
The Oratory B&B, Princetown, PL20 6RP Telephone: 01822 890273, Email.
Children Welcome, Dogs Welcome. See on map
Bed & Continental breakfast £30 per person as a double.
Princetown area Self Catering Accommodation
The Beeches is the property of The Oratory B&B which is right next door, so if you have extra members in your party, this is the perfect solution. It's a 2 bedroom house with an enclosed garden. Quiet road parking. One double bedroom with ensuite shower and a twin bedroom with it's own bath/shower room, modern fitted kitchen and lounge diner.
The Beeches Self Catering, Princetown, PL20 6RP Telephone: 01822 890273 , Email.
Children Welcome, Dogs Welcome. See on map
3 day breaks and last minute deals available. Give Sally a ring.
Camping and Hostels in the Princetown area
Providing low cost accommodation at the Plume of Feathers Inn. (by the mini roundabout) It is open all year and can house 42.
You can also camp at a site at the back of the pub. I recommend that you book well in advance in the bunkhouse as it gets full in Summer with backpackers from all over the world.
Plume of Feathers Bunkhouse Hostel, Princetown, PL20 6QG Telephone: 01822 890240, Grid Ref SX 590 735.
Some Extra Care, Children Accepted, No Dogs. See on map
Space for 75 tents and 6 motor caravans. Dogs welcome, open all year. There is a bunkhouse here too.
The Square Campsite, Princetown, PL20 6QQ Telephone: 01822 890240, Grid Ref SX 590 733.
Some Extra Care, Children Accepted, Dogs Welcome. See on map
In the centre of Princetown, high on the Moor. This bunkhouse can house up to 12 in 3 rooms of 4. Bedding/towels not provided, but available for hire. C.H.+ some self catering with sink, fridge, cooker, microwave and all important toaster. This is a licensed cafe, so packed lunches are not a problem. Drying room, bike storage and they will take dogs if you hire the whole bedroom. Car park. I have not met up with the new owners yet, but look forward to meeting them soon.Jill
Fox Tor Bunkhouse Hostel, Princetown, PL20 6QS Telephone: 01822 890238, Email, Grid Ref SX592 736.
Some Extra Care, Children Welcome, Dogs Welcome.
See on map
To find the right map of the Princetown area click the bike picture on the left
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Here's a link to Traveline, a very easy to use website to find your Princetown bus timetable.
Simply type your starting point, destination, and the relevant travel dates into the boxes on
the Traveline Public Transport website to find the bus you need. It's brilliant !!
