EUC Exeter Branch: Lunch at the Rock Inn, Haytor Vale

The Rock Inn on the edge of Dartmoor is an old favourite with club members. It is a lovely old inn, serving fine food and ales. From the Inn a 25-minute walk takes one to the old granite railway and up to Haytor Rock.

The Inn was constructed in the 1820s along with the row of cottages it sits central to. Until the early 19th century Haytor Vale was a smallholding of Smallacombe Farm called Kennapark Wells. The history of The Rock Inn is related directly to the economic and industrial developments in the area around Haytor. Little official history of The Rock Inn exists today.

The deeds for the ‘Haytor Buildings’ (including the cottages in Haytor Vale) can been seen hanging on the walls of the ‘Monks’ table and a Guestbook dated from 1903 to the closure due to war in 1940 is still at reception today and makes a very interesting historical document. The building has always been privately owned, family-run and operated as an Inn. The current Graves family have owned and cherished the Inn since 1983.

To book: Contact Peter Wingfield-Digby on 01392 424781 or email: pwdigby@btinternet.com by Tuesday 21st April to book your place.

Further details of forthcoming Exeter Branch events can be found on the branch's website. To find out about membership and joining the club, please contact the Secretary, Mike Aspray at eucexeterbranch@gmail.com.