Pullabrook Woods Walk and The Rock Inn, Ilsington
- 12 hours ago
- 4 min read
Intro
This one is for families who want woodland, river time and a really good food stop without having to plan the whole thing from scratch.
We have paired our Pullabrook Woods walk with The Rock Inn in Ilsington, so the route and the food stop are already matched for you.
Wander through the trees, find the river, let everyone explore for a bit, then head to the village for lunch, dinner or a well earned drink.
Easy.
Why we picked this Pullabrook Woods Walk
Pullabrook Woods is a lovely option when you want the day to feel relaxed, green and not too complicated.
The base route keeps things short and simple, with woodland tracks leading down to an open riverside spot that works brilliantly for a picnic pause, snack stop or slower family explore. It is one of those walks where you do not need to march. You can potter, notice things, sit by the water and let the children find their own little adventure.
If everyone still has energy, the extended loop gives you more of a proper woodland outing, heading deeper through Pullabrook Woods and over Hisley Bridge before looping back.
The Rock Inn finishes the plan nicely. It sits in the cute village of Ilsington, just off Haytor, with a shady garden, umbrellas, benches and a proper Dartmoor pub feel. It is a great one when you want the walk to be gentle, but the food stop to feel like a bit of a treat.
The walk
Our Pullabrook Woods walk starts from a tucked away car park and heads through woodland tracks towards the river.
The shorter option is around 1km to the open riverside area, which makes it a brilliant choice for younger legs, slower days or families who want a small adventure without committing to a longer loop.
The extended route is around 3.2km and takes you further through the woods, including Hisley Bridge and a steeper forestry track section. That version is better for families who want a bit more walking, more woodland and a fuller outing before food.
Expect trees, river sounds, muddy patches after rain, log piles, quiet corners and plenty of places where children will want to stop and look at things.
The food and drink stop
After the walk, head to The Rock Inn in Ilsington.
It is based in a lovely village just off Haytor and works well as a food and drink stop for Pullabrook Woods, Yarner Wood, Haytor Quarry and other east Dartmoor days.
The Rock Inn has a proper restaurant feel while still working as a Dartmoor pub stop. It is good for lunch, dinner, drinks, tea and cakes, and it has a beautiful shady garden with umbrellas and benches, which is handy when you want fresh air without sitting in full sun.
This is a good pick if you want the food side of the day to feel a little more special. Think good food, a village setting, a relaxed garden and somewhere to properly land after a woodland wander.
Good to know
Time guide
Allow around 2 to 3 hours depending on which version of the walk you choose, how much time you spend by the river and how much family faff comes with you.
The shorter route can be a gentle out and back style outing, while the extended loop gives you more of a proper woodland walk before heading to The Rock Inn.
Food service times
Lunch is usually served 12pm to 2pm Monday to Saturday, and 12pm to 3pm on Sunday.
Dinner is usually served 6:30pm to 8:30pm Monday to Saturday.
The restaurant is closed on Sunday night.
Opening times and food service can change, so check directly before you go, especially if you are planning the walk around a table booking.
Parking
Use the parking details on the Pullabrook Woods route page before setting off.
For The Rock Inn, allow a little time to park in or around Ilsington village, especially during busy lunch or dinner periods.
Toilets
There are toilets at The Rock Inn. Check the Pullabrook Woods route notes for any route specific facilities before setting off.
Dogs
Check the Pullabrook Woods route notes and The Rock Inn details before visiting with dogs.
Food and drink
This is best if you are looking for a woodland walk followed by a proper lunch, dinner or relaxed drink in a village pub setting. Booking ahead is recommended, especially at weekends and during school holidays.
Best for
Families who want a woodland walk, river exploring, a shorter or longer route choice, and a good quality food stop afterwards.
Ready to walk it?
Members can view the full Pullabrook Woods walk, including the route notes, parking details, 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. Pullabrook Woods gives you plenty of tree cover, but woodland paths can still get muddy after rain.
Check The Rock Inn food service times and book ahead if you are planning to eat. No one wants to promise chips, pudding or a nice sit down and then discover there is no table.
Read the full route notes before setting off. Our route pages include parking details, terrain notes, map information and useful bits that help you feel more confident before you leave the car.
Allow enough time for family pace. Our Picks are not about rushing around with a stopwatch. Give yourself space for getting ready, snack stops, river time, exploring and the usual “where is the other shoe?” drama.
Bring the basics. Decent footwear, drinks, snacks, spare socks and a change of layers can make the difference between a lovely Dartmoor day and a damp family negotiation.
Enjoy
Dartmoor Partner
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