Free tours of 14th century Dartmoor longhouse now available to book

Free tours of Higher Uppacott, a Grade I listed 14th century medieval longhouse on Dartmoor, are now available to book.

It comes as part of the Heritage Open Days festival, which offers free access to heritage events and activities across England.

A Dartmoor National Park spokesperson said: "Longhouses are a typical feature of Devon with some of the finest examples found on Dartmoor, including the iconic Higher Uppacott near Poundsgate. 

"Livestock would have been kept in the 'shippon' - the lower end of the building. The sloping floor provided a simple yet practical drainage system and hay was stored on branches laid across loft floor beams. 

"The longhouse hall at the upper end of the building was the domestic quarters. Here, a nationally rare example of smoke-blackened thatch vividly illustrates how an open fire in a hearthstone set on the floor once heated the building."

The tours take place on:

• Saturday 9 September at 10.30am and 1.30pm;
• Saturday 16 September at 10.30am and 1.30pm;
• Sunday 17 September at 10.30am and 1.30pm.

There will also be a special 'medieval marvels' event on Sunday 10 September to help introduce children to Dartmoor life in the middle ages, through a mixture of activities, stories and artefacts. The tour will run from 10.30am until 12.30pm and is suitable for children aged five and up. 

Places can be booked by email or by calling Dartmoor National Park Visitor Centre at Princetown on 01822 890414.