Scorhill Stone Circle Walk and The Chagford Inn

Intro

This one is for families who want ancient stones, open moorland, river time and a proper Chagford food stop without having to piece the day together from scratch.

We have paired our Scorhill Stone Circle walk with The Chagford Inn, one of our Dartmoor Partner hospitality partners, so the route and the food stop are already matched for you.

Wander out to one of Dartmoor’s most atmospheric stone circles, head down to the clapper bridge, let the children explore by the river, then make your way into Chagford for lunch, dinner or a well earned drink.

Simple, historic, and very Dartmoor.

Why we picked this Scorhill Stone Circle walk

Scorhill is one of those places that feels special almost immediately.

The base route gives you a short, open moorland walk to one of Dartmoor’s most beautiful stone circles, without needing a big expedition. It is a brilliant choice when you want something that feels wild and memorable, but still manageable with children.

From the stone circle, the route drops down towards the old clapper bridge over the North Teign River. This is a lovely place to slow down, perch on the boulders, paddle carefully in the shallows or just let everyone have a snack while the river does its thing.

If your group has more energy, the extended route carries on across the moor to Kestor Rock, one of Dartmoor’s best viewpoints. That version gives you more open walking, more big sky, and a proper sense of being out on the northern moor.

The Chagford Inn finishes the plan beautifully. It is a historic village pub with a relaxed restaurant feel, right in the heart of Chagford, and it works well when you want the walk to end with good food, local drinks and somewhere warm and welcoming to land afterwards.

The walk

Our Scorhill Stone Circle walk is one of the shorter and more atmospheric routes in the collection.

The base route takes you across open moorland to the stone circle, then down towards the clapper bridge and river. It is a lovely option for families who want a short adventure with a strong sense of place.

The extended route continues towards Kestor Rock, where the views open out across the northern hills. This section is rougher and more exposed, so it is better for families who are happy with uneven ground, open moorland and a bit more effort.

Expect soft grass, ancient stones, grazing ponies, open views, river sounds and very little shelter. Skylarks, buzzards and herons can all be spotted around this area, and adders may be out on warm days, so tread carefully around granite and long grass in summer.

Scorhill itself is one of the few Dartmoor stone circles that has not been restored, so please avoid climbing or sitting on the stones. They have been standing quietly for over 4000 years, which feels like a fairly good reason to leave them be.

View Route

The food and drink stop

After the walk, head into Chagford for The Chagford Inn which is just 3 miles from the Scorhill carpark.

The Chagford Inn has been a pub for more than 200 years, previously known as the Bakers Arms and Buller’s Arms before becoming The Chagford Inn in 2014. It has been home to owners Ollie and Jordan since 2020, along with their two children and Labradors.

Ollie heads up the kitchen, bringing his chef background and love of food into an ever changing menu built around Devon produce. Jordan is usually found front of house, behind the bar or on the restaurant floor, helping create the relaxed and welcoming feel of the place.

This is a good pick if you want the food stop to feel a bit special without being stiff. Think proper pub comfort, good Devon ingredients, friendly service, lunch, dinner, pints and a village setting that works brilliantly after a moorland walk.

View Pub

Good to know

Time guide

Allow around 2 to 3 hours depending on which version of the walk you choose, how long you spend at the stone circle and how much time you give the river.

The base route is short and works well for a lighter family outing. The extended route to Kestor Rock gives you a fuller moorland walk before heading into Chagford.

Food service times

Food is usually served from 12pm to 3pm and 5:30pm to 9pm.

Opening hours are usually 11:30am to 3pm, then 5:30pm until late, Saturday to Thursday. On Fridays, opening is usually 11:30am until late.

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

For the walk, use the Scorhill route parking area. It is a small Dartmoor starting point, so give yourself a little time to park and get sorted, especially during busy periods.

For The Chagford Inn, allow time to park in or around Chagford. The village can get busy, particularly around lunch, weekends and school holidays.

Toilets

There are no toilets on the Scorhill route itself. Toilets are available at The Chagford Inn for customers.

Dogs

Dogs are welcome on many Dartmoor walks, but this is open moorland with grazing animals, so leads are important around ponies, sheep and livestock. Check The Chagford Inn’s latest dog policy before visiting with dogs.

Food and drink

This is best if you are looking for a short, atmospheric Dartmoor walk followed by lunch, dinner, pints or a relaxed village pub stop. Booking ahead is recommended, especially at weekends and during school holidays.

Best for

Families who want ancient stones, open moorland, river exploring, pony spotting and a proper Chagford food stop afterwards.

Ready to walk it?

Members can view the full Scorhill Stone Circle 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.

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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. Scorhill is exposed, with very little shelter, so wind, rain or strong sun can all make a big difference to how the walk feels.

Check The Chagford Inn food service times and book ahead if you are planning to eat. No one wants to promise lunch, pudding or a nice sit down and then find there is no table.

Take care around the clapper bridge and river. The stones can be slippery when wet, and water levels can rise after rain, so keep little ones close and make sensible choices on the day.

Respect the stone circle. Please do not climb, sit or lean on the stones, and help children understand that this is an ancient place, not a climbing frame.

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, pony watching and the usual “where has your other glove gone?” drama.

Bring the basics. Decent footwear, drinks, snacks, spare socks, sun protection and a change of layers can make the difference between a lovely Dartmoor day and a chilly moorland negotiation.

Enjoy

Dartmoor Partner