Bovey Tracey

You’ll find Bovey Tracey perched on the edge of dramatic Dartmoor National Park, and an ideal base if you want to explore the outstanding natural landscape of South Devon and the moorlands. Known as the gateway to Dartmoor, Bovey Tracey is a charming and historic place to stay, with a strong rural heritage.

Bovey Tracey is a beautiful and welcoming town where the winding streets and picturesque parks provide the perfect environment to relax in. Home to many restaurants, bars, coffee shops and attractions, Bovey Tracey is the ideal place to unwind.

For retail, Bovey Tracey is typical of the strong tradition of towns in Devon offering a range of quality independent retailers, with delicatessens, high-class butchers, farm produce, and fair-trade shops. 

History of Bovey Tracey

Taking its name from the river Bovey, the town is an established Saxon settlement, with its second name coming from the de Tracey family who ruled the area after the Norman Conquest. Bovey Tracey was the scene of a major battle during the English Civil War, which ended in victory for Cromwell’s troops. Their names live on today with the Cromwell Arms pub and a ruined priory arch also named after Cromwell.

Things to do in Bovey Tracey

With the wild and imposing Haytor as a backdrop, Bovey Tracey is ideal for exploring the Tors of Dartmoor. There’s a range of outdoor sports for adrenaline junkies, including climbing, canoeing and walking. Dartmoor is one of the UK’s National Parks and covers 358 square miles. A place of myth, history and natural beauty, with many antiquities and natural wonders, you can easily access everything that Dartmoor has to offer from Bovey Tracey.

Something a little different

MAKE Southwest is an acclaimed exhibition space for contemporary craft and design as well as a leading charity for craft education. In the historic Riverside Mill in the heart of the town, MAKE Southwest is home to 3 exhibition galleries, a large retail gallery and an event space which hosts a range of workshops and courses. You can even bring your pooch to enjoy the art as MAKE Southwest galleries are dog friendly! The House of Marbles in Bovey Tracey is a great family attraction where you can visit the glass, games, marble and pottery museums.