Enjoy a virtual tour of Dartmoor an ancient unspoilt landscape of awe inspiring views, granite tors, deep wooded valleys with fast flowing rivers, and rugged wide open spaces in the heart of Devon. You won’t go far before you come across an Iconic Dartmoor Pony or some sheep that roam around freely.
Update: 21st August 2023
- Added: Venford Falls images.
I love the moors and never get up there anywhere near enough, there is so much to see and do, I’ve hardly scratched the surface in all the years I’ve been going, let alone with my 360 camera in hand. I try to find the time to come up for a spot of wild camping at least a couple times a year. You can see my camping gear here. Bellever is a favourite place, though in high season it gets far too busy to enjoy during the day. I’ve listed a few places worth checking out below.
Keep Your Eyes Peeled
One of my favourite things to see is the free roaming wildlife of which there are many including ponies, cows, sheep, lizards, adders and more. Just keep your eyes peeled especially while driving as they will just suddenly step out into the road in front of you. I often pull over into a layby where there are some ponies and they tend to be very tame, they may even walked over stick their head in your car window to say hi.
Adder Basking in the Sun
You may come across an adder basking in the sun while hiking, you’ll probably hear the hissing before you actually see it. Just stand still and it should disappear into the bushes. Do not try to touch or pick it up as they are the Uk’s only venomous snake.
There are so many things to see and do all over the moors, from waterfalls, wild swimming, wild camping, pony trekking, hike tors, stone circles, rows, cists and letterboxing plus much more. The later being hundreds of small boxes purposely hidden all over the moors with only a few simple clues to help you find them and when you do, you write in and sign the book and then use the stamp in yours, if you have one with you. Letterboxing has been around for over 150 years, you can find out more here.
The National park is a stunning place no matter the weather or time of year, if you’re anywhere near make sure you stop by. If you plan on wild camping then make sure you’re familiar with the rules, 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. Also check the firing range danger areas if you’re planning on being around north Dartmoor.
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.
- 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 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.
- 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.
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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)
- Avon Dam
- Babeny (explore beautiful Dartmoor on Horseback)
- Becky Falls
- Bellever Forest
- Black-a-Tor Copse (Like its famous cousin Wistman’s Wood, also made up of the same amazing twisted Oaks but this time, without the tourists)
- Bonehill Rocks
- Bovey Castle
- Bowerman’s Nose
- Buckfast Abbey
- Buckland Abbey
- Buckland-in-the-Moor
- Burrator Dam
- Cadover Bridge (National Trust)
- Canonteign Falls
- Castle Drogo
- Cowsic River Weir
- Cramber Pool
- Cranmere Pool letterbox (The oldest letterbox on Dartmoor)
- Crazywell Pool
- Cullever Steps Pool
- Dartmeet
- Dartmoor Zoo
- Denham Bridge
- The Dewerstone
- Drizzlecombe
- Fernworthy Reservoir
- Fernworthy Stone Circle
- Fingle Bridge
- Foggintor Quarry
- The Garden House (considered one of the finest gardens in the UK)
- Haldon Forest Park
- Haytor Quarry
- Haytor Rocks
- Hingston Hill Stone Circle
- Hound Tor Rocks
- Hound Tor Deserted Medieval Village
- Jay’s Grave
- Laughter Tor
- Laughter Hole Stepping Stones
- Leather Tor
- Letterboxing
- Lopwell Dam
- Lydford Castle
- Lydford Gorge
- Meldon Aplite Quarry
- Meldon Reservoir
- Meldon Viaduct
- Merrivale Prehistoric Settlement
- The Miniature Pony Centre
- Okehampton Castle
- Old Meldon Pond (also known as Meldon Pool) Wild Swimming
- Ockerton Court
- Parke (National Trust)
- Pennywell Farm
- Postbridge Clapper Bridge
- Princetown
- River Dart Country Park
- River Tavy Weir
- Sharrah Pool
- Shilley Pool
- Spitchwick
- St. Michael’s Church
- Stalldown Row (The longest stone row in the world)
- Stone Lane Gardens
- Swincombe Reservoir
- Tottiford, Trenchford & Kennick Reservoirs
- Tors (Over 1000, I’ve listed some below)
- Tuckers Pool
- Ugborough Beacon
- Venford Reservoir
- Venford Waterfall
- Watchet Hill Cottage,The Blackhouse (Ruins)
- Waterfalls (listed below)
- West Dart Weir
- Western Beacon
- Wheal Betsy
- Wheal Jewell Reservoir
- Witch’s Pool
- Widecombe-in-the-Moor
- Windy Post Granite Cross
- Wistman’s Wood
- Yelverton Rock
- Abbey Inn
- Badgers Holt
- Bearslake Inn
- The Burrator Inn
- The Cleave Inn
- The Cridford Inn (possibly the oldest inn in the UK dating back to 825AD)
- Dartmoor Inn
- The Dartmoor Inn
- Fingle Bridge Inn
- The Highwayman Inn (Britain’s most unusual pub, built 1282)
- Lewtrenchard Manor
- Old Inn (15th Century)
- The Olde Plough Inn
- The Palk Arms
- Plume of Feathers (18th Century)
- Primrose Tea Rooms
- The Rock Inn
- Rugglestone Inn
- Tavistock Inn
- Two Bridges Hotel
- Ullacombe Farm Cafe & Shop
- The Walkhampton Inn
- Warren House Inn (19th Century)
- The Who’d Have Thought It Inn
- Aish Tor
- Arch Tor
- Arms Tor
- Beardown Tors
- Bell Tor
- Bellever Tor
- Belstone Tor
- Bench Tor
- Birch Tor
- Bel Tor
- Black Tor
- Black Tor
- Black-a-Tor
- Bonehill Rocks
- Bowerman’s Nose
- Brat Tor (Instantly recognisable thanks to the granite statue known as Widgery Cross at the very peak erected by William Widgery to commemorate the Golden Jubilee of Queen Victoria in 1887)
- Brent Hill Tor
- Brent Tor
- Calveslake Tor
- Chat Tor
- Chinkwell Tor
- Combestone Tor
- Conies Down Tor
- Corndon Tor
- Cox Tor
- Cramber Tor
- Cripdon Down Tor
- Criptor
- Crockern Tor
- Crow Tor
- Devil’s Tor
- Dinger Tor
- Doe Tor
- Down Tor
- Easdon Tor
- East Mill Tor
- Feather Tor
- Fur Tor
- Ger Tor
- Gidleigh Tor
- Grea Tor
- Great Links Tor
- Great Mis Tor
- Great Staple Tor (One of Dartmoor’s more ‘poster’ tors known for its unique and instantly recognisable ‘steeples’ made up of layered granite.)
- Great Trowlesworthy Tor
- Green Tor
- Gutter Tor
- Hameldown Tor
- Hare Tor
- Harter Tor
- Hartland Tor
- Haytor Rocks
- Heckwood Tor
- Hedge Down Tor
- Heltor Rock
- Hen Tor
- Herne Hole Tor
- High Willhays Tor (highest point)
- Higher Harter Tor
- Higher Tor
- Higher White Tor
- Hollow Tor
- Hollow Tor
- Holwell Tor
- Honeybag Tor
- Hookney Tor
- Hound Tor
- Hound Tor Rocks
- Hucken Tor
- Hunt Tor
- Ingra Tor
- Ivy Tor
- Kes Tor Rocks
- King Tor
- King´s Tor
- Kitty Tor
- Laughter Tor
- Leather Tor
- Leedon Tor
- Legis Tor
- Leigh Tor
- Lints Tor
- Littaford Tor
- Little King’s Tor
- Little Lynx Tor
- Little Mis Tor
- Little Trowlesworthy Tor
- Longford Tor
- Lower Harter Tor
- Lowery Tor
- Lower White Tor
- Luckey Tor
- Lydford Tor
- Lynch Tor
- Mel Tor
- Middle Staple Tor
- Middle Tor
- Nat tor
- North Hessary Tor
- Oke Tor
- Otter Tor
- Pew Tor
- Pil Tor
- Rippon Tor
- Rival Tor
- Roos Tor
- Rough Tor
- Rowtor
- Rundlestone Tor
- Saddle Tor
- Scarcy Tor
- Scorhill Tor
- Shapley Tor
- Sharpitor
- Sharp Tor
- Sharp Tor
- Sharp Tor
- Shavercombe Tor
- Shelstone Tor
- Shilstone Tor
- Shipley Tor
- Sheeps Tor
- Shell Top Tor
- Sourton Tors
- Stannon Tor
- Steeperton Tor
- Steng-a-Tor
- Swell Tor
- Tavy Cleave Tor
- Thornworthy Tor
- Top Tor
- Tors End Tor
- Vixen Tor
- Watern Tor
- West Mill Tor
- Winter Tor
- White Tor
- Wild Tor
- Wind Tor
- Yar Tor
- Yes Tor
- Avon Waterfall
- Becky Falls
- Black Rock Falls
- Black Tor falls
- Broad Falls
- Burrator Reservoir Waterfall
- Canonteign Falls
- Doe Tor Falls
- East Dart Waterfall
- Green Combe Waterfall
- Holne Wood Waterfall
- Horseshoe Falls
- Raddick Hill Waterfall (Man made)
- Kitt’s Steps (Private land)
- Shavercombe Falls
- Tavy Cleave Waterfall
- Venford Waterfall
- Whitelady Waterfall
- The Waterfall
- Yealm Waterfall
- 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.
- 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).
- 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.
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Originally posted on 17 Jul 2017 @ 20:58