Explore Dartmoor

Dartmoor is not just about the landscape; there’s a lot more to it than that. It’s not just about the ponies or the tors, the history or the heritage — but that’s a good start. It’s about getting out there, experiencing new things. This living, breathing, working landscape holds the secret to a past that stretches back over the centuries, and a future that is both sustainable and green.

From rare birds and butterflies, Neolithic monuments and ancient woodland, to tradition, folklore and farming on horseback, Dartmoor has it all. Leading the way for the arts, all things organic, a haven for literary greats and explorers, you will be walking in some awesome footsteps.

Dartmoor has the largest number of archaeological remains in Europe. So if it is stone circles, menhirs, stone crosses and ancient villages that get you excited, Dartmoor is the place to be. In fact, it is where Time Team were, unearthing all manner of interesting artefacts. To find out more and to understand what makes Dartmoor tick, check out our archaeology page.

Dartmoor is home to all manner of wildlife, from Dartmoor ponies wandering the moor, to the rare marsh fritillery butterfly. If birds, bees and beasts draw your interest, take a look at our Nature page.

Want to know more about the people of Dartmoor? Where did Sir Arthur Conan Doyle base The Hound of the Baskervilles? What inspired Seth Lakeman’s songs? Did Agatha Christie write her novels on Dartmoor? All this and more can be found on our Arts & Literature page.

And lastly, you might want to know more about the Dartmoor Pony, perhaps the most famous of all Devon inhabitants. A common sight on the moor, the Dartmoor Ponies are as much a part of what makes Dartmoor tick as the standing stones and the people. If you want to find out more, take a look at our Dartmoor Ponies page.

If you’re unsure of your geography, why not take a look at our Towns & Villages section – we have listed all the major towns and villages on Dartmoor, with relevant tourist information, images and contact details. It should help you choose your own route round Dartmoor, stopping off at all the places that take your interest. The communities listed are also available to see below.

Do you want picture postcard Dartmoor villages with thatched cottages and rambling lanes? Try Moretonhampstead. How about historic market towns with traditional stores, tearooms and crafts? Head to Tavistock, Bovey Tracey, Chagford or Okehampton. What about something a bit different, a little bit quirky? It’s got to be Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Maybe you want folklore, and Dartmoor myths and legends? Princetown is the place to be.

Tiny hamlets, bustling towns, or pretty villages, Dartmoor is the thriving, beating heart of Devon!