Nestling against the northern edge of Dartmoor, there is much to see and do. Visit Okehampton Castle - mentioned in the Doomsday Book of 1086, whose ruins stand a short distance from the town centre or explore the Museum of Dartmoor Life and see relics tracing the history of the moor and its people down the years. It also houses Okehampton's Tourist Information Centre which can give you accommodation, travel and tourism advice.

The Okehampton of today is a bustling market town providing all the essential goods and services for the many villages that surround it. The town has two shopping arcades, one dating back to Victorian times, and boasts both modern supermarkets and a comprehensive selection of traditional smaller shops.

Those looking for relaxation can take a stroll through the tranquil surroundings of Simmons Park, where, apart from pleasant walks there's also a good selection of sporting opportunities, including tennis, bowls, putting and the town's indoor swimming pool.

Okehampton has been greeting visitors for over 2000 years.
Some were invaders rather than visitors! The area was initially settled in the bronze age, extensive remains can still be found from this period on the moor. Celtic peoples from the Continent came here 2500 years ago and built a defensive hill fort nearby.
The Romans followed 500 years later, establishing their rule over what was an important route for commerce from Cornwall. Christianity was introduced in the 5th and 6th centuries by Celtic missionaries, who founded many local churches. Saxon rule came in the 7th century, the name 'Ocmundtune', meaning settlement by the Ockement, is first recorded in AD 980 as a place where slaves were freed at a cross-roads so they could choose their own destiny. The Saxon settlement was probably built up around the parish church which still stands over half a mile from the modern town.

The 19th century saw great improvements in communications, with better roads and, in 1871, the coming of the railway. If ever there was an industrial "revolution", it was on Dartmoor during the Middle Ages! The technology, scale and political organisation of the tin industry was truly amazing. Trade in tin and wool created wealth which led to the rebuilding of many local churches. The so called "wilderness" of Dartmoor is littered with the remains of past industries - tin works and mills, copper mines, peat works and quarries.

One more reason for visitors coming to see the town's greatest asset - Dartmoor!