Introduction to the Park

At 368 square miles (954 square kilometres), Dartmoor is the largest open space in southern England.  It has wild open moorland, granite tors and wooded river valleys. At its edge is a landscape of small fields enclosed by stone walls and hedge banks. Dartmoor has been a stock grazing area for at least 4,000 years and it is, in the main, this kind of farming that has made the Dartmoor landscape worthy of National Park status. The open spaces and sheltered valleys give pleasure to millions of people every year and for the Dartmoor farmers it is their place of work.

By virtue of its outstanding natural beauty Dartmoor was one of the first National Parks to be designated in Britain, in 1951.  

Dartmoor’s blanket bog, upland oakwood, caves and mines are among habitats of international importance.  

Dartmoor’s landscape is also among the richest in western Europe in terms of its archaeological remains.

Within the National Park there are many landowners, including public bodies and private individuals.  National Parks are places where people live and work and Dartmoor is home to some 33,000 people.

There is a network of Information Centres and local information points operating across Dartmoor.  The High Moorland Visitor Centre is open throughout the year and a good starting point for planning your visit.  Dartmoor has lots of attractions to enjoy including castles and historic houses, gardens, museums and heritage centres, forest walks, waterfalls, animal and wildlife parks, railways, arts and crafts centres and farmers' markets.  As well as places to visit you can enjoy a whole host of activities ranging from moorland walks, cycling, fishing and golf to swimming, outdoor pursuits and adventure.

The Dartmoor National Park Authority, also manages moorland information centres at Postbridge, Haytor and Newbridge.  For a complete list of Centres in the network go to the Park Authority web site (see bottom of page)

Getting There

BY TRAIN The Park is served by rail with stations at Exeter, Newton Abbot, Totnes, Ivybridge and Plymouth which all have regular connections to the rest of the country including Intercity services by Virgin and First Great Western. 

Getting Around the Park

The Park can be explored on foot, bike and by an extensive local network of buses and trains.  You can find out all about local transport at by visiting the Part Authority web site.  The Dartmoor Sunday Rover ticket gives unlimited travel for a day on a whole range of buses and trains across the moor and is a good day out in itself.  A Dartmoor bus timetable booklet and a Sunday Rover timetable are available from the High Moorland Visitor Centre as well as a complete set of eight walks all planned to link with local buses.

Links

 Dartmoor National Park
 Park Authority Web Site