Dalwood – Culture, Gardens and Walking Trails

Dalwood particularly appeals to travellers who want to combine historic buildings, walking trails and garden landscapes in one trip. For families with different interests, the area therefore offers a range of ideas for the day: you can explore local history, stroll through a wildflower meadow or plan a walk along the River Yarty.

Historic Dalwood and its distinctive buildings

A notable point of interest is the Church of St Peter, a Grade I listed building. The church dates entirely from the 15th century and was restored in 1881. It therefore provides a tangible connection to Dalwood’s earlier history, without limiting the visit to a single historical detail.

The Loughwood Meeting House is particularly unusual. This thatched 17th-century Baptist meeting house is built into a hillside and has been preserved almost unchanged. It is considered one of the earliest surviving Baptist churches in the country. Those interested in religious buildings, religious history and traditional forms of architecture will find a distinct focus here alongside the Church of St Peter.

The Dalwood War Memorial is also part of the village’s character. It was erected around 1920 as a war memorial to the First World War. The roughly hewn granite cross is approximately 1.8 metres high and bears a Celtic crosshead. The inscription “TO OUR DALWOOD HEROES 1914-1919” appears on the base; beneath it are sixteen names. In this concentrated form, the site commemorates the history of the First World War and the people to whom the memorial is dedicated.

Walking Trails between Dalwood and the River Yarty

The local walking trails in Dalwood start and finish at The Tuckers Arms Public House. This clear route layout makes it easier to plan a day of walking without assuming a specific walking time or level of difficulty. The circular “Dalwood and Yarty Valley” route passes through Dalwood and follows various sections of the River Yarty. It therefore connects the village area with impressions of the valley landscape.

For a longer walk, one route leads to Shute Barton and Loughwood Meeting House; the tour takes just under three hours. Depending on your plans for the day, you can therefore choose between a route featuring Dalwood and the River Yarty and a longer walk with cultural destinations. The main differences lie in the destinations mentioned and the duration of the longer tour.

Gardens, Landscape and Viticulture

Dalwood lies within the Blackdown Hills Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. At Burrow Farm Gardens, the gardens extend across 13 acres. Unusual trees, shrubs and herbaceous plants grow there. Visitors can stroll through a wildflower meadow while enjoying views of Devon’s gentle hills. This outing is suitable as a more peaceful complement to the walking trails and historic sights, without committing you to a single pace for your holiday.

The local character also includes Dalwood Vineyard. The first vines were planted in 2009; the first acre was dedicated to the Seyval Blanc grape variety. This history adds an insight into local viticulture to the cultural and scenic impressions. When choosing your accommodation, you can therefore consider whether you would like to make historic discoveries, a longer walk, gardens or the Devon landscape the focus of your days.

Further Places for Planning Your Trip

If you would like to combine Dalwood with other places in your travel plans, you can also visit Lifton, Exminster, Bishop's Tawton, Dawlish, Combe Martin, Bere Alston, Stokeinteignhead or Chittlehampton. These places offer further directions for your search, while Dalwood itself provides a varied destination for finding accommodation, with the Church of St Peter, Loughwood Meeting House, walking trails, gardens and the River Yarty.

For the overarching travel overview: Devon.