Dartmoor National Park

Historic churches in Dartmoor National Park

Historic Churches of Dartmoor

Dartmoor's landscape is dotted with centuries of ecclesiastical history, from the 12th-century Benedictine Buckfast Abbey to remote granite structures perched on high peaks. Notable sites include St Michael de Rupe, situated atop a volcanic tor, and the 'Cathedral of the Moor' at Widecombe-in-the-Moor. These buildings showcase distinctive Devon architecture, including Perpendicular Gothic towers, medieval rood screens, and historic links to local mining and monastic traditions across the rugged moorland.

Historic Churches of Dartmoor — Map

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A

Buckfast Abbey

Buckfast Abbey forms part of an active Benedictine monastery at Buckfast, near Buckfastleigh, Devon, England.

B

St Michael de Rupe

Perched atop the volcanic plug of Brent Tor, this 12th-century church is one of the smallest and highest parish churches in England. Built from local basalt, it has served as a prominent moorland landmark for centuries.

C

St Pancras Church

The Church of Saint Pancras is a Church of England church in Widecombe-in-the-Moor, Devon, England.

Michelle Harding / CC-BY-SA

D

St Eustachius Church

This 15th-century parish church in Tavistock features a 14th-century tower and the Clothworkers' Aisle, reflecting the town's historic wool trade. It contains a monument to Sir John Glanville and notable 19th-century stained glass.

E

St Michaels

The Anglican Church of St Michael in Princetown, Devon, England was built between 1810 and 1814.

F

Saint Mary the Virgin

The Church of St Mary the Virgin, in Bickington, Devon, England, dates from the fifteenth century.

G

Castle Drogo Chapel

Designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens in the early 20th century, this private chapel is built into the granite foundations of Castle Drogo. It features a minimalist, vaulted interior consistent with the castle's modern-medieval architectural style.

H

St Mary's Medieval

Located in Throwleigh, this 15th-century granite church is noted for its ornate Easter Sepulchre and finely carved priest’s door. The interior features a traditional Devon wagon roof and historic monuments.

I

St Petroc's

Situated in South Brent, this church features a massive 12th-century Norman tower and a late-medieval font. The interior contains fragments of 15th-century carved screens and monuments to local gentry.

J

St John the Baptist's Church

Constructed in 1835 to serve the growing mining community of Horrabridge, this church features a simple early-Victorian design built from local stone.

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