Okehampton Youth Hostel

Stick close to home to explore Okehampton and its surrounding villages, roam around Dartmoor, head to the north or south Devon coasts or cross the border into Cornwall – depending on your energy levels after all that abseiling. The town of Okehampton is on the edge of Dartmoor and has the Museum of Dartmoor Life in its 18th-century mill telling the tale of those who have lived and worked in the area for centuries past (there are often evening visits available for those who’ve been swinging from ropes all day). During the day – partly because it’s only open until five or six and partly because it’s haunted – take a trip to medieval Okehampton Castle, the ruins of Devon’s biggest castle. The 1920s Castle Drogo, with formal garden, tours and events including vintage car rallies and fancy dress, is about 20 minutes’ drive from the hostel. From Okehampton there are nearby villages galore to explore and walks from the hostel over the moors, woodlands, tors and ancient monuments of Dartmoor. Take the Belstone Walk past the healing stone (lie on it and think of the part of your body that needs fixed), or walk along the Meldon Viaduct to Black-a-Tor Copse to take in bluebell woods and an ancient oak woodland nature reserve: go here in May to see the best of the bluebells and rare plants. Flower fans will also like the RHS gardens at Rosemoor 20 minutes’ drive from Okehampton; there are over 40 other gardens in Devon if this sort of stuff makes you bloom. The Eden Project is about an hour’s drive along the A30 and Bude and Newquay are both reachable from Okehampton by bus. Keep Sundays free too: there’s a train direct from the hostel to Exeter to mosey around the castle, cathedral, Roman remains and shops.