Dartmoor National Park

Dartmoor National Park - spectacular

We have to make special mention of Dartmoor - not least as we used to live there, but mostly as it is a spectacularly beautiful part of the UK.

Drive from Dartmouth inland, cross the A38 and your are there. Stunning. Dramatic. Wild. Picturesque. We love Dartmoor, we're sure you will too.

Most popular is the Haytor area to the south east of the moor, accessed from the Bovey Tracey direction. We also love Hound Tor.

There are Dartmoor National Park information centres in various places, including at the bottom car park at Haytor. There you will find more information about activities including rock climbing and guided walks. There are lovely walks in the area from Haytor, down the valley and up to Hound Tor and also over to Hayne Down. Hayne Down is the location of the legend of the Bowerman - with the Bowerman’s Nose rock formation being visible one end, the story goes that a huntsman was turned to stone after unwittingly disturbing a group of witches. You will find Hayne Down quiet and secluded and a wonderful place to take in the views all round. Just up the road from Hound Tor is Jay’s Grave, another local legend surrounds this grave on the side of the road, which regularly has fresh flowers on that no-one admits to putting there.

Princetown is to south west side, much more wild and remote. A wonderful drive across the moor from these two sides of the moor is worth the trip.

Booklets and maps of Dartmoor are available in the cottage for your use.

Postbridge is a famous location andvery picturesque classic Dartmoor and accessed from the Buckfastleigh direction, Dartmeet is often a place for paddling and messing about in the river. Of course we must mention Widdecombe-in-the-Moor and it's famous Uncle Tom Cobley annual fair. Becky Falls is a lovely waterfall just outside Manaton - a drive up from Bovey Tracy, which also has a small animal park and is great for clambering about and rock hopping over the river as well as short woodland walks. A fabulous family attraction.

Adventure Clydesdale, near Dartmeet is a special activity - book well in advance (sometimes many weeks) and for experienced riders, enjoy a horse ride onto Dartmoor on a Clydesdale horse. You will be hard pressed to find a more enjoyable way to access the moor. Dartmoor is yours to discover and explore.