Warren House Inn: History, Legend & Whispers of An Ever-Burning Fire

Last Updated on 8th March 2023 by Sophie Nadeau

This post may contain affiliate links. Please check out my privacy policy and disclosure for more information.

Lonely and secluded, the Warren House Inn stands at 434 m above sea level, making it one of the highest pubs in Southern England. But what the Warren House lacks in nearby neighbours, it more than certainly makes up for in regular custom. I’ve never driven past the free house and seen the place empty!

Overlooking the moors and on a windswept road that many travellers traverse but never stop on, a pub has stood here in some form or another for centuries, welcoming weary travellers in from the cold.

The road in question is a particularly straight stretch of road in the very heart of Dartmoor, which takes road users from the ancient town of Moretonhampstead and all the way to the infamous town of Princetown (home to a Napoleonic era prison of the same name).

And this is the view from their front door…

Location of the Warren House Inn, Dartmoor

Now a free house and owned by the Duchy of Cornwall (one of two Duchies in England. The current Duchy of Cornwall is Prince Charles. You know, the Queen’s son!), the surrounding landscape is littered with sheep, a forest lies below and the pub is just a couple of miles from the iconic Postbridge Clapper Bridge, a medieval bridge that’s easily one of the best things to do in Dartmoor.

Overlooking the moorlands, on a clear and bright day, it’s possible to look all the way to Grimspound. On other days, the fog descends and you can barely see three or four feet ahead of you.

As such, it’s best to always be prepared with maps and compasses when traversing the open moorland (yes, even in this day and age!) After all, phone signal is notoriously patch at best in this part of Devon. The late Bronze Age Settlement of Grimspound itself was once a thriving community where people lived thousands of years ago.

Free to visit and managed by English Heritage, the ancient settlement is a couple of miles from the pub and a round-trip there and back will make you feel as if you definitely deserve a refreshing iced soft drink upon return!

Warren House Inn: A Brief History of the Highest Pub in Southern England

Though the current incarnation of the Warren House Inn may look as if it has stood in situ for centuries (the harsh and wild weather of Dartmoor is notoriously destructive and ages buildings much faster than in other places in the UK), it is actually the second pub to have been built on site.

The first pub was actually named the New House and was located on the other side of the road. A second pub was built in 1845, which is when the fire that never goes out is said to have been lit. The original purpose of the pub was to cater for workers from the nearest tin mines; which are dotted all over the Dartmoor landscape. 

Golden Dagger, Vitifer and Birch Tor Mines were all located near the pub, and the last tin mine closed in the early 1930s. Today, the pub is as secluded as ever; there is no mains electricity and when it snows, the inn is entirely cut off from the rest of the world.

Now, the Warren House Inn mainly serves traditional pub food to tourists visiting the area. There are few houses nearby and so the bulk of business comes in the form of many travellers wishing to experience the rugged landscape of Dartmoor National Park at a local level.

The perpetual fire of the Warren House Inn

Local legend suggests that a fire has been burning continuously in one of the Warren House Inns two fireplaces for well over a hundred and fifty years.

And yes, it burns even on the sunniest, warmest summer’s day. Believe the hype and the fire has been burning non-stop since 1845!

Apparently, when the fire is cleaned, the embers are simply moved from the main fireplace to the other less-impressive chimney on the other side of the pub. This way, the fire never has to go out, even when the chimney must be swept. 

Whether this entire myth is true or not remains to be seen. Whatever the case, the tale is certainly an interesting one and a story to remember! Other tales of the inn are abundant. As you can imagine, such a secluded and remote place allows itself to become the centre of plenty of myth and legend over the years.

The Dartmoor Poet, Jonas Coaker was once landlord of the former pub and on one occasion, it’s said that a miner was killed in a brawl within the pub. On another occasion, it’s said that one person wishing to stay overnight found a body in the storage trunk within his room…

Visit the Warren House Inn

The inn is open on a daily basis, but gets especially busy during the summer months. However, you head here for the history, ambience, and drinks, not necessarily the food. Instead, I’d recommend making a quick stop at the pub for a drink on the way back from a long walk in the area, and taking a picnic with you on said walk.

After all, nearby Grimspound, Bellever Forest, and the circular walks surrounding Postbridge are all great Dartmoor hikes and provide perfect small spots to enjoy a picnic outdoors! All in all, the Warren House Inn is easily one of the best pubs in Dartmoor.

It may not have the proximity to a quaint village like the tavern of the Rugglestone at Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Nor does it have the great food that can be found at The Rock in Haytor Vale. Instead, it is an atmospheric pub, reminiscent of times gone by when highwaymen roamed the moor and peat bogs the size of cars could swallow horses whole.

In the summer months, it’s possible to enjoy your drink on the picnic doors outside, all the while admiring the view. Just mind the fierce wind which always seems to be strong, even on the warmest of days…

Enjoyed reading about how to visit the Warren House Inn, and a quick history? Pin this article now, read it again later: