Dartmoor National Park is located in Devon covering 368 square miles, making it the largest and wildest area of open country in Southern UK. Over 35,000 ha (137 sq. miles) is common land. All the land in the National Park is owned by someone, even the common land.

• One of the first National Parks to be designated in the UK in 1951.
• You could fit the whole of London into Dartmoor.
• If you see any ponies, sheep or cattle in danger or distress on Dartmoor contact www.dlps.org.uk for help.
• There are three visitor centres at Dartmoor, one at Princetown, one at Haytor and one at Postbridge.
• If your in the North East be aware of the Military firing range. Warning signals, red flags by day and red lamps by night, indicate that live firing is taking place within the range boundaries, which are marked by red and white poles. Find out more here.
• There are around 1000 tors on Dartmoor. Tors are where the granite rock that is underneath Dartmoor shows through.
• High Willhays is the highest tor on Dartmoor and the highest point in southern England. Yes Tor is a modest 2 metres, a little over 6 feet lower in 2nd place.
• The lowest point on Dartmoor is Doghole Bridge. It’s 30 metres or 98 feet above sea level. (Just a simple road bridge near Trusham not much to see)
• Wistmans Wood is Devon’s oldest woodland.
• The ‘Bone Stone’ monolith is the terminal stone of the eastern stone row and said to be the largest on Dartmoor and stands 4.2 metres tall.
• The ponies on Dartmoor aren’t wild animals. They all belong to farmers. Many years ago they were used to transport things like food, wool and tin across the moor or they worked in the mines.
• Wild Boar are on the Rise, typically giving birth (farrow) between March and May, so we could soon see more piglets appearing in the area. As the breeding season gets underway, it’s crucial to keep dogs on a lead and give these animals plenty of space, A nursing sow can be highly aggressive if she feels threatened!
• In early 2006 mindless protesters released 100 boar from a farm near West Anstey on Exmoor. Only 40 were recaptured. The farmer warned most of the missing females at large were pregnant. By February 2006, there were sightings around Horrabridge, Dartmoor. Meaning the boar had journeyed 40 miles as the crow flies in just 2 months.
• The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust is a registered charity dedicated to the preservation of the Dartmoor pony breed. The pedigree and approved heritage Dartmoor ponies graze the moor, helping to keep the vegetation down and create diverse grassland areas for wildlife.
• Dartmoor served as the inspiration for Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock Holmes tale The Hound of the Baskervilles and has also played a significant role in modern cinema, acting as the backdrop for the blockbusting film War Horse.
• Dartmoor has the largest number of archaeological remains in Europe.
• Logan Stones occur throughout the Dartmoor landscape as rocks which rock, log or move with effort.
• Adders are the Uk’s only venomous snake. Though seldom fatal, adder bites can have nasty effects, including swelling, drowsiness, vomiting and diarrhoea, so you should always see a doctor straight away. Adders bite hundreds of people every year, but have caused only 14 fatalities since 1876 (and none since 1975).
• There is a prison on Dartmoor. HMP Princetown opened in 1809 and is still a working prison today.
• Stalldown stone row is the longest in the world at 3.1km.
• The only place in the UK where the Bog Hoverfly exists.
• The Ash Black Slug is the largest land slug, it can exceed 20cm and is found in Dartmoor Woodland.

• Dartmoor is home to many myths and legends and has been said to be home to pixies and fairies, as well as being haunted by a pack of ghostly hounds and a headless horseman.

The history of Dartmoor stretches back over millions of years. It’s hard to believe that this idyllic landscape was created by violent volcanoes, tropical climates and ice ages. Around 300 million years ago, the creation of Dartmoor’s famous granite rock began. Devon was once close to the equator, located on a boundary between two sections of the earth’s crust. These sections collided, causing volcanic eruptions which flowed over the land. As the magma cooled and hardened, it created the rock formations we see today. In the years that followed, the rock at the surface eroded away, exposing the granite underneath. This created the “tor” formations that can be found all over Dartmoor.

• Dartmoor has the largest number of archaeological remains in Europe. All over the moors you can find ancient settlements, stone rows and burial sites telling the stories of the people who once made this their home.

• Airbnb, from £20 a night for a private room, while entire apartments/homes can start from around £40 a night, this would be my recommended option. Get £25 off your first Airbnb trip of £55 or more click here.
• Hostel, YHA Dartmoor from £16.99 a night.
• Camping, from £6.95 per person, per night.
• Motorhome, Barley Meadow, Dartmoor Caravan Park, Woodland Springs Touring Park.
• B&B & Guest Houses, there are plenty to choose just decide if you want self catering or not from £30 to £150 a night.
• Stay at the Inn, With plenty of lovely local pubs around, its the best place to hear some stories and find out some local knowledge from £50 – £100 a night.
• Farm, from £30 – £300 a night.
• Hotel, There are few from the small family run and then the luxury hotels like the 5 star Bovey Castle and Gidleigh Park. Prices start from £40 – £350 a night.
• Wild Camping, individuals and small groups are allowed to camp for up to two nights in the same place without asking permission. When planning your trip, make sure you check-out the Dartmoor Wild Camping map. All wild campers must adhere to the Dartmoor Backpack Camping Code.

• Wildlife discovery day – Yarner (May)
• Picnic in the Park – River Dart Country Park (June)
• Dunsford Show (July)
• Lydford Fair (July)
• Dartmoor History Hunters – Postbridge (July)
• Yealmpton Agricultural Show (July)
• Yelverton Rotary Club Fun day (August)
• Okehampton Show (August)
• Manaton Show & Fair (August)
• Chagford Show (August)
• Christow Show (August)
• Meldon Wildlife Festival (August)
• Lustleigh Show (August)
• Kingsbridge Show (September)
• Widecombe Fair (September)

The moors are a natural environment so expect it to be rugged and boggy in places. There are some areas with man made walkways allowing disabled chairs, but mostly you will have to walk, ramble and hike everywhere. Many field crossings there are stiles you’ll have to climb over.

• Bus, Haytor Hoppa a circular service that covers the eastern side of Dartmoor. Prices adult £5, senior £4.00, child (5-15 years) £2, family £10 (up to 2 adults and 3 children)
• Car, is by far the easiest option just remember the 40mph speed limit, this is to protect the cattle, sheep and ponies who freely roam the moor and can wander onto the roads at any time. Check out Rhino Car Hire
• Cycling keep the moor car free and yourself fit, check out the Dartmoor Way for routes.
• Taxi, Mooreland Taxis 01626 835095.
• Motorhome, Some of the roads around Dartmoor are quite narrow, have width and length restrictions so check where your going.
• Walking/hiking, With so many routes available across the landscape, you can enjoy a variety of walks at all different times of the year. Follow a suggested route or join a guided walk.

Tip: Remember Dartmoor has a 40mph speed limit to protect the cattle, sheep and ponies who freely roam the moor and can wander onto the roads at any time.

Tip: Only park in the car parks or keep your vehicle within 15m of the highway. If not you will be asked to move by a park ranger or a note left on your windscreen.

• If you see any ponies, sheep or cattle in danger or distress on Dartmoor contact www.dlps.org.uk for help.
• Sadly due to some individuals with no respect for the moors, there was an increase in fly-tipping and excessive rubbish being left in the Summer 2020. This meant that there was a temporary ban on camping at Bellever for 27 days. LEAVE IT HOW YOU FIND IT AND LEAVE NO TRACE!
• Do not rely entirely on your phone or a GPS unit, as signal isn’t always available.
• Remember Dartmoor has a 40mph speed limit to protect the cattle, sheep and ponies who freely roam the moor and can wander onto the roads at any time.
• Only park in the car parks or keep your vehicle within 15m of the highway. If not you will be asked to move by a park ranger or a note left on your windscreen.
• Camping, individuals and small groups are allowed to camp for up to two nights in the same place without asking permission. When planning your trip, make sure you check-out the Dartmoor Wild Camping map. All wild campers must adhere to the Dartmoor Backpack Camping Code.
• You can see all my camping gear here.
• Wild Swimming, don’t swim if water has become discoloured, as this can indicate flooding and can present dangerous currents.
• Swimming in abandoned quarries come with greater risk as you can’t be sure what’s in the water (in terms of old machinery etc).
• Don’t ever swim alone! Always swim with someone, even if they’re not in the water and on land.
• It is important to keep all gates shut in order to prevent cross-breeding with ponies from the surrounding area. Please do not feed the ponies.
• The ponies on Dartmoor aren’t wild animals. They all belong to farmers. Many years ago they were used to transport things like food, wool and tin across the moor or they worked in the mines.
• The Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust is a registered charity dedicated to the preservation of the Dartmoor pony breed. The pedigree and approved heritage Dartmoor ponies graze the moor, helping to keep the vegetation down and create diverse grassland areas for wildlife.
• Beware of adders, the UK’s only venomous snake. Though seldom fatal, adder bites can have nasty effects, including swelling, drowsiness, vomiting and diarrhoea, so you should always see a doctor straight away. Adders bite hundreds of people every year, but have caused only 14 fatalities since 1876 (and none since 1975).
• Check the firing range danger areas if walking on north Dartmoor.
• Leave no trace, take your rubbish home.
• Don’t light fires or BBQ’s directly on the grass, always use a rock or a camping stove/BBQ with legs so not to damage the ground.
• Wear walking boots, not trainers as they don’t support your ankle and may cause you to slip.
• If the weather deteriorates do not hesitate to turn back.
• Dogs must be kept on a lead in the presence of grazing animals.