Charming little UK village where locals worry they may be ‘forgotten by visitors’
- UK Hidden Gems
- 3 days ago
- 2 min read
A remote UK village set in a stunning and unusual landscape has its very own microclimate. Locals adore living there, with one resident calling it a “glorious location”.
This peaceful corner of Devon is full of history and old legends, and it usually attracts plenty of visitors too.
But the village is now facing some problems, and many worry that fewer tourists will stop by in the future.
Hidden among wide stretches of moorland, the village of Princetown is best known for its huge prison, which once held some of Britain’s most dangerous criminals.
But in 2024, Dartmoor Prison closed suddenly because of serious safety issues after radon, a radioactive gas, was found inside.
Experts say that long-term exposure to radon can harm people’s health, so both prisoners and staff had to be evacuated quickly.
Hundreds of inmates were transferred to other prisons, and the site now sits shut while everyone waits to find out whether it will ever reopen.
Local shop owners and café owners are anxious, as many families who came to visit inmates would usually stay in or around Princetown, helping to support the village’s economy.
Visitors also used to come simply to see the famous prison from the outside, but now the buildings sit empty while investigations into the radon levels continue.
The gas is naturally found in many parts of Devon and Cornwall, but its presence inside the prison made it too risky for anyone to stay there.
Even though the prison has closed, the Dartmoor Prison Museum just nearby is still open, and it remains one of the top attractions on TripAdvisor. However, some guests have pointed out that certain sections of the museum are currently “closed off”.
One recent visitor described the museum as “something a little different” and said it was “an excellent way to spend some time”.
They added that it was full of fascinating stories about why the prison was built, what life was like inside, and the many characters who lived or worked there.
Remember - LeaveNoTrace!
As with anywhere outdoors, kindly keep these areas pristine and wild by taking all trash with you. The amount of complaints we have seen since the pandemic is crazy. It's really not that hard to take your rubbish with you!
Litter tends to spread, so if you see any and are able to pick it up and dispose of it outside the hidden gem, it will help keep the area tidy.
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