Explore Dartmoor

Dartmoor covers an area of 954 square kilometres (368 square miles) in the middle of Devon.

Dartmoor offers the ideal location in which to get away from it all and truly relax. Roughly circular in shape it extends from Hatherleigh and Okehampton in the north, to the outskirts of Tavistock and Plymouth in the west and to the fringes of Exeter and Newton Abbot in the east. Ivybridge and Buckfastleigh mark its southern boundary. It can be best described if split into FIVE areas:

North Dartmoor can be defined as the area around Okehampton. With a population of over 25,000, Okehampton has all the usual facilities expected by the visitor to North Dartmoor. It has excellent access from the main A30 trunk road. There is a range of accommodation options from hotels, pubs and inns, to bed and breakfasts and self catering cottages to choose from utilising the shops and supermarkets of Okehampton for provisions. There are also a number of outlets dedicated to the moorland offering outdoor walking or camping gear. Towns and villages within this area include Hatherleigh, Northlew, North Tawton, Bridestowe, Lydford, Belstone, Spreyton and South Zeal. There is a Visitor Information Centre in Okehampton.

East Dartmoor is the area around Moretonhampstead and Bovey Tracey. It borders North Dartmoor at Whiddon Down and Chagford and stretches almost to Crediton and Exeter on its eastern boundary. The town of Newton Abbot effectively marks its southern boundary. Bovey Tracey is the main town of the area. With a population of just under 7,000, this small market town is the gateway to the eastern region. It offers all the usual facilities and its proximity to the A38 trunk road allows easy access. The town is ideal to use as a base from which to visit not only Dartmoor but the South Devon resorts of Torbay, Teignmouth, Dawlish and Exmouth. There is an excellent Vistor Centre at Haytor above the town.

South Dartmoor has Ivybridge, Buckfastleigh, Ashburton and Totnes as its main Information Centres and extends from the outskirts of Plymouth in the west to Ashburton and Totnes in the east. Other settlements include Cornwood, South Brent, Scorriton, Buckfast, Holne and Staverton.

West Dartmoor stretches from the high moors almost down to the border with Cornwall in the west and the city of Plymouth to the south. Its main Tourist and Visitor Information Centre is at Tavistock. Towns and villages of the area include Lifton, Lewdown, Chillaton, Brentor, Mary Tavy, Peter Tavy, Horrabridge, Buckland Monachorum, Yelverton, Sheepstor, Meavy and Shaugh Prior.

The High Moorland covers the central area of Dartmoor and is literally the hub of the National Park. Information Centres are situated at Princetown and Postbridge. Other places to visit include Merrivale, Two Bridges, Bellever, Dartmeet, Hexworthy, Widecombe in the Moor, Dunstone and Buckland in the Moor.

Walking on Dartmoor as you would expect there are hundreds of walks available all over Dartmoor. We have selected our favourite walks encompassing some breathtaking walks with stunning scenery, archaeology, spectacular tors, picturesque strolls and something a little sterner to test the outdoor walking enthusiast. Select your tours and tors here...>