Princetown

Princetown is the highest town on Dartmoor and one of the highest towns in the UK. It is best known as the home of Dartmoor prison that was first built in 1806 to house prisoners from the Napoleonic and American wars. The prison has a fearsome reputation and even if prisoners had escaped from there, they would have to survive the trek across Dartmoor. The prison is still open and can be seen in the picture

The town has a good visitors centre and is one of the main destinations for people who visit Dartmoor. There are a few tea rooms, souvenir shops and a local pub that is also a brewery, with its beer called appropriately Jail Ale.

Other guests to the town include Sir Arthur Conan Doyle who wrote the Sherlock Holmes novel Hound of the Baskervilles, based on the area after staying there.

Today Princetown is popular as a base for visitors who wish to enjoy the scenery and atmosphere of Dartmoor and there are camping sites and Bed and Breakfasts there to cater for them.