Dartmoor National Park Park

Address: Dartmoor National Park, Devon, England, United Kingdom

Website: https://www.dartmoor.gov.uk/

Hours: Open 24 hours (park access); facilities and visitor centres have seasonal hours

Admission: Entry free; fees for some car parks and certain activities (check Dartmoor National Park Authority)

Dartmoor National Park is a protected upland area in central Devon, England, established as a national park in 1951 and covering roughly 954 square kilometres. It is defined by granite moorland, prominent tors, and extensive prehistoric archaeology.

Human activity on Dartmoor stretches back to the Neolithic and Bronze Age, visible in standing stones, stone rows, and field systems. Over centuries the moor has been used for grazing, tin working, and military training, and it was formally protected under national park status in the mid-20th century.

The park occupies central Devon in south-west England, roughly inland from the south coast and north of Plymouth. It is a mix of open moorland, wooded valleys, and agricultural land, with access from towns around the park perimeter.

• Size and designation: Covers roughly 954 square kilometres and was designated a national park in 1951.
• Topography and archaeology: Highest ground reaches 621 metres at the summit of High Willhays, with numerous granite tors and widespread Bronze Age archaeological remains.

What to See#

• High Willhays: Sits at 621 metres above sea level and is the highest point on the moor; marked by rocky outcrops and open moorland that provide wide views across Dartmoor.
• Grimspound: A well-preserved Bronze Age settlement of stone hut circles and field systems dating to around 1800-1000 BCE, located on the eastern moor and accessible via public footpaths.
• Haytor: A steep, granite-topped ridge and popular landmark offering signed walking routes and panoramic views; one of the most visited tors on Dartmoor.

Dartmoor National Park is in central-south Devon. Major access points include Tavistock, Princetown and Widecombe-in-the-Moor. By car, follow A38 or A30 and local roads; public bus services connect to several towns on the moor’s edge. Allow extra travel time and check for road or track closures in adverse weather.

• Plan routes carefully - mobile phone reception is patchy in many parts; carry maps and a compass.
• Avoid exposed tors and high moorland in bad weather; the landscape changes quickly and fog can descend without warning.
• Visit early or late in the day for solitude; popular sites like Haytor and Belmont can get busy on summer weekends.