Ted Hughes Memorial Stone

On the edge of Okehampton, among the wild moorland that Ted Hughes loved so fiercely, stands a simple stone memorial to one of Britain's greatest poets. It's not much to look at - just rock and inscription - but the setting tells you everything about why he mattered. Hughes spent decades roaming Dartmoor, and this spot captures that obsession perfectly.

The stone itself sits in landscape that would have spoken to him: open, windswept, uncompromising. You're not walking into some manicured visitor experience. This is Dartmoor as he knew it, which is rather the point. Poetry types and literature enthusiasts will want to make the pilgrimage, though it's equally worth seeking out if you're simply tramping the moors anyway. The memorial works best as part of a larger walk rather than a standalone destination - give yourself a couple of hours to properly absorb the moorland around it.

If you're staying at Woodland Springs or Lydford Caravan & Camping Park, both within six miles, this pairs well with proper Dartmoor exploration. Okehampton itself offers decent supplies and a base for wider walking. Go early in the day if you can - the moor's best in morning light, and you'll have space to think. Don't expect facilities or crowds. Bring a proper map and decent boots. The weather changes fast up here, and that's half the appeal.