Owley Gate Walk and The Pack Horse, South Brent
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
Intro
This one is for families who want a mix of open moorland, woodland exploring and time by the River Erme, all finished with an easy South Brent village stop.
We have paired our Owley Gate walk with The Pack Horse in South Brent, so the route and the post walk stop are already matched for you.
Head out onto the moor, wander through woodland, follow the River Erme for paddling and exploring, and if you time it right, Ugborough Beacon offers a brilliant spot for sunset views across the moor.
Then roll back into the village for a drink, a garden sit down and a low faff finish.
Simple.
The walk
Our Owley Gate walk starts with that lovely feeling of stepping straight out onto Dartmoor.
This is a good one for families who want open space without making the day feel too complicated. Ugborough Beacon gives the area a strong sense of place, while Scad Brook adds the softer, slower bit of the walk with water, trees and places to pause.
In warmer months, the brook can become the main event. Clear little pools, splashing, paddling and picnic stops all make this feel like a proper Dartmoor summer wander.
Expect open moorland, uneven ground, grassy tracks, brookside sections, muddy patches after rain and very little formal structure. This is part of the charm, but it does mean decent footwear and weather awareness are still important.
The food and drink stop
After the walk, head into South Brent for The Pack Horse.
The Pack Horse is a relaxed village pub in the heart of South Brent, which makes it a useful stop for families exploring the southern edge of Dartmoor. It works especially well after Owley Gate because you can come off the moor and be back in a village setting without turning the day into a big extra drive.
The garden is a real bonus here. It is spacious, relaxed and handy with children, and there are often a few toys or games knocking around, currently including giant Connect 4.
They are not serving food at the moment, so treat this as a post walk drink stop rather than a pub meal plan. Sometimes you can bring your own food into the garden, but check with the pub before relying on that.
South Brent also gives you a few easy extras, with a village shop, Co op, charity shop and other small village stops nearby if you want to make the outing feel a bit more rounded.
Good to know
Time guide
Allow around 2 to 3 hours depending on how far you walk, how long you spend around the brook and how much family faff comes with you.
This is a good one to keep flexible. You can make it a shorter moorland wander, or give yourselves more time for paddling, picnic stops and slow exploring.
Food service times
The Pack Horse is not serving food currently, so this pairing works best as a walk and drink stop rather than a walk and pub meal.
Sometimes you may be able to bring your own food into the garden while having a drink, but check with the pub first so you are not caught out.
For food extras, South Brent has a local village shop, Co op and a few other village stops nearby.
Parking
For the walk, use the Owley Gate route parking information before setting off.
For The Pack Horse, allow time to park in or around South Brent village, especially during busier periods.
Toilets
There are no toilets on the Owley Gate route itself. Toilets are available at The Pack Horse for customers.
Dogs
Dogs can enjoy this kind of route, but this is open moorland with livestock and wildlife, so leads are important where needed. the Pack Horse welcomes dogs!
Best for
Families who want open moorland, brookside exploring, paddling in warmer weather and a relaxed village garden drink afterwards.
Ready to walk it?
Members can view the full Owley Gate walk, including the route notes, parking details, GPS map and everything you need to head out with confidence.
If you are not a member yet, join our Supporter Membership to unlock the full route collection, member maps, food and drink pins, and our ready made Our Picks recommendations.
Before you go
Before heading out, do a quick check so the day runs smoothly.
Check the weather and choose layers that suit the day. Owley Gate has open moorland sections, so wind, rain or strong sun can all change how the walk feels.
Check The Pack Horse is open before heading over, especially if you are planning the stop around children needing a break, a drink or some garden time.
Do not rely on food being available at the pub. Pack snacks, lunch or picnic bits if you want to eat, and check ahead if you are hoping to bring food into the garden.
Allow enough time for family pace. Our Picks are not about rushing around with a stopwatch. Give yourself space for getting ready, brook time, snack stops, paddling, exploring and the usual “why is your sock wet already?” moment.
Bring the basics. Decent footwear, drinks, snacks, spare socks, a towel in warmer months and a change of layers can make the difference between a lovely Dartmoor day and a damp village negotiation.
Enjoy
Dartmoor Partner
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