Discover Chagford: Dartmoor’s Hidden Moorland Gem
A Moorland Market Town with Ancient Roots
Resting on the northern edge of Dartmoor National Park, Chagford is a thriving market town steeped in history and brimming with vibrant energy. Its name—meaning “the ford where the gorse grows”—harks back to its Saxon origins.
Stannary Town: Tin’s Historic Gateway
In 1305, Edward I granted Chagford stannary status, making it one of only four Devon towns—alongside Tavistock, Ashburton, and Plympton—where tin was officially weighed and stamped. This legacy shaped the town’s medieval economy alongside the wool trade.
A Buzzing Cultural Hub
Today, Chagford pulses with creativity and community. Think Chagstock (summer music), Wonderwords, and Chagword festivals, along with year-round literary and film events. It's small but fiercely dynamic.
Picture-Perfect Centre & Boutique Finds
The iconic octagonal Market House (“Pepperpot”) graces the town square—an 1862 replacement for the original stannary court. Granite commercial buildings house independent shops, galleries, boutiques, bakeries, and cafés—ideal for artisan browsing and people-watching.
Heritage Buildings & Church Mysteries
Wander past 16th-century listings like Endecott House, the Tudor-era Three Crowns Inn (linked to Mary Whiddon), and the medieval St Michael’s Church (dedicated in 1261) with its legendary tomb and carved Tinners’ Rabbits Grave whispers say Mary's story inspired Lorna Doone.
Nature & Outdoor Escapes
Just a short walk from town, you enter raw Dartmoor—with ancient stone circles, wild tors, emerald rivers, forested reservoirs, and dramatic castles like Castle Drogo, Fingle Bridge, and Fernworthy Reservoir