Monday September 22nd – Saturday 27th September 2025

Chagford

A bustling, lively market town with a fascinating past

Chagford is a small, lively, charming town in the north-eastern side of Dartmoor National Park, nestling in amongst the hills surrounding the River Teign.

It has a rich history: a medieval stannary town through which all exports of tin collected by the moorland tinners had to pass; a centre of wool spinning for the East Devon weaving towns; a home to many artists, writers, painters and musicians; and of course a popular tourist destination. For those who like their history even older, there are many megalithic monuments, stone circles, and remains of bronze age and medieval settlements within just a few miles of the town.

For visitors to the film festival there is everything you need within the town: some 25 varied and interesting shops selling food, ice cream, clothes, outdoor goods, hardware and more; four pubs, three of which have superb high quality accommodation; seven or eight restaurants, cafes and delis offering a choice of dining from coffee with homemade cakes, vegetarian wholefoods, right through to high class culinary excellence; and art and craft galleries featuring the work of many local artists.

If you prefer the outdoor life, there are 368 sq. miles of wild and wonderful National Park to explore. You can hike, bike, run, or paddle for miles and see hardly a soul; spot the semi-wild Dartmoor ponies and many types of birds, including beautiful soaring buzzards; visit the fascinating displays at one of three visitor centres; and of course eat and drink in many pubs and cafes.

And what visit would be complete without a traditional Devon clotted cream tea? Cream on first of course!

“Proper job” as we say in Devon!