Discover Princetown: Dartmoor’s High Moorland Outpost
England’s Highest Village at the Heart of Dartmoor
Perched at around 1,427–1,430 feet above sea level, Princetown is the highest settlement on Dartmoor and one of the highest in the UK—right in the wild heart of the national park. It’s the go-to base for walkers, cyclists, and anyone who digs rugged landscapes, fresh air, and epic tors.
From Farm Dreams to Granite & Prison Legacy
Princetown began in 1785, when Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt leased moorland, established Tor Royal Farm, and built a road from Tavistock, founding “Prince’s Town” in honour of the Prince of Wales. His dreams of farming were dashed by the moor’s harshness, so he pivoted—first by building Dartmoor Prison in 1806–09 (for Napoleonic and American prisoners of war), and then by developing granite quarries linked via the Princetown Railway to Plymouth.
Granite Rails & Brewery Aromas
The Plymouth & Dartmoor Railway (horse-drawn from 1823, converted and extended in 1883) hauled granite from Foggintor, Swelltor, and King’s Tor until its closure in 1956—now reborn as a scenic walking and cycling route. Saunter along it and you might even catch the fragrance of hops from Princetown Brewery, England’s highest brewery.
Prison, Museum & Visitor Centre
The mood of Princetown is defined by its granite prison, built to house up to 9,000 inmates; today it accommodates about 600 low-risk prisoners. Explore its history at the Dartmoor Prison Museum, and make sure to visit the National Park Visitor Centre, housed in the former Duchy Hotel, where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle reportedly began writing The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Outdoor Adventure from Every Corner
Princetown is a hub for explorers. Radiating from the village are walking and cycling trails into rugged moorland, tors, rivers, and reservoirs—Dartmeet, South Hessary Tor, Burrator Reservoir, and beyond. Every summer, expect to spot groups tackling hikes, bike rides, or joining events like the Dartmoor Ultra Marathon, Dartmoor Classic sportive, and the Tour de Moor.
Prison, Museum & Visitor Centre
The mood of Princetown is defined by its granite prison, built to house up to 9,000 inmates; today it accommodates about 600 low-risk prisoners. Explore its history at the Dartmoor Prison Museum, and make sure to visit the National Park Visitor Centre, housed in the former Duchy Hotel, where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle reportedly began writing The Hound of the Baskervilles.
