Higher Uppacott
Higher Uppacott is a medieval longhouse (medieval farmhouse) in which both people and cattle were accommodated under a single roof.
It has been classified as a Grade I listed building of national importance because it is one of the few remaining examples of this historic building type to have retained its shippon (cattle shelter) in its original, unaltered state.
One of the things that makes Higher Uppacott so special is that its development from its medieval beginnings through to the present day is still clearly evident in the fabric of the building.
It tells its own story through key architectural features. This evolution also vividly illustrates the major changes in domestic family life and the social structures of Dartmoor’s farming folk over the centuries. Higher Uppacott is owned by Dartmoor National Park Authority and guided visits are available to book.
Conserving a Dartmoor longhouse
Higher Uppacott is one of Dartmoor’s best preserved Medieval Longhouses and is an important part of Dartmoor’s farming heritage.
Owned by Dartmoor National Park Authority, this Grade I listed building has previously undergone extensive conservation work to upgrade access, improve the condition and get a better understanding of the building’s history as a farmstead, helping to safeguard this piece of cultural heritage for future generations.
The conservation work revealed fascinating insights into how the longhouse developed over time from its original two-room layout to the building we see today.
Higher Uppacott forms part of an internationally important collection of Dartmoor longhouses, helping to tell the story of how people lived and farmed on Dartmoor.
Want to learn more?
Step inside with a guided tour which offers the unique opportunity to explore this medieval longhouse, learn about its history, and uncover how people lived and worked on Dartmoor.
Visit our events page to find the next guided tour, for your chance to see Dartmoor’s history brought to life.
