Ditsworthy Warren House, Grade II listed building in Sheepstor, England
Ditsworthy Warren House is a granite-rubble building with two stories and a late 19th-century extension situated on the moorland of Dartmoor. The structure displays traditional construction methods adapted to the harsh landscape, with thick walls built to withstand the exposed location.
The building first appeared in records in 1474 when it served the keeper of one of England's largest rabbit breeding operations. It played an important role in local economy for centuries, producing valuable furs and meat for the region.
The building represents traditional warren keeping practices, where rabbits were bred for meat and fur, with specialized structures for animal housing.
The house sits far from vehicle access and can only be reached by walking or riding along bridleways across the open moor. The exposed location offers little shelter from weather, so visitors should come prepared with appropriate gear and allow plenty of time for the journey.
The property served as a filming location for Steven Spielberg's War Horse and received a temporary thatched roof added for the production to suit the story. This transformation shows how rural heritage sites can become part of modern filmmaking without permanent changes.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
