The southern part of Dartmoor is beautifully situated if you are coming in for a visit from South Devon. Some wonderful walking is available here, and several fabulous towns in which to while away an afternoon!

If you fancy a day of indulgence, Ashburton has a foodie vibe, with artisan bakers, delis, great places to eat and its annual food festival every September. Buckfastleigh’s magnificent Benedictine abbey — which makes the world-famous Buckfast Tonic Wine — is a must-see, while just a short distance from here you can jump on a steam train on the South Devon Railway from here to Totnes; the Rare Breeds Farm there is a hit with families.

Ivybridge is a great area for walking and exploring; those out and about along the River Erme can find the medieval packhorse bridge that gives the town its name. The bridge was immortalised by famous British painter JMW Turner, who painted it after visiting the area in 1811. Dartmouth is the perfect playground for water sports, with surfers, sailors, canoeists and paddle boarders flocking to the town to see what it has to offer.

To the south of the national park is Plymouth, Devon’s largest city. While it’s proud of its naval history and connections, these days Plymouth retains a vibrant waterfront, packed full of attractions of its own.

With all this going on, South Dartmoor is a great base for exploring the wider moor and has plenty of its own charms.