Cadover Bridge

Cadover Bridge crosses the River Plym on the open south-western edge of Dartmoor, and the National Trust's free car park beside it is a natural base for exploring South Dartmoor. Much of the land around is common, grazed by cattle, sheep and ponies, and the moor rising towards Trowlesworthy is internationally important for archaeology reaching back to the Late Neolithic: Bronze Age hut circles and burial cairns, a single and a double stone row south of Great Trowlesworthy Tor, and post-medieval pillow mounds and vermin traps. Downstream, the Plym runs through an ancient oak-wooded valley to Shaugh Bridge. Reviewers single out the shallow river, where families paddle and picnic with ponies grazing close by, and the ice cream van that often parks here. There are no toilets or cafes, so come prepared. The 3.4-mile circular walk to Dewerstone Rock climbs through North Wood and over West Down. Dogs are welcome, on a lead from March to July.