Dartmoor National Park

Dartmoor National Park covers 368 square miles, offering the walker over 500 miles of paths and 200 square miles of open Moorland and access land. There is nowhere else in the south west that can offer such a diversification in landscapes from open Moorland with its special flora and fauna, granite outcrops and wooded valleys to ancient oak woods, riverside paths, lakes and reservoirs.

Dartmoor ponies are an integral part of the Moors and can be seen wandering freely. Bronze age farmers lived in huts at Grimspound, Celtic tribes built Cranbrook hill fort and the Saxons founded the towns and villages  so you are never very far away from the heritage of Dartmoor.

Things to see and do

Walking: The following link provides further information including details on the long distance trails; Two Moors Way, Dartmoor Way, Taw Teign Link and the Templer Way: http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/index/visiting/vi-enjoyingdartmoor/vi-walkingforall.htm

If you require further information on short walks you can visit the Dartmoor National Park Visitors Centre at Princetown or the Moreton Information Centre during your stay or log-on to the Dartmoor National Park on-line shop: http://www.nationalparks.gov.uk/dnpa_shop/main.asp

Useful Links:
Dartmoor Rescue Group: http://www.dartmoor-rescue.org/
Dartmoor Military Firing Ranges: http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/index/visiting/dartmoor-military-firing-ranges.htm
Dartmoor weather forecast: http://uk.weather.com/

The Dartmoor National Park Authority arranges regular guided walks to help you navigate the Moor, identify plants, or see the stunning megaliths in the moonlight: http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/vi-diary-of-guided-walks-and-events.htm

You can also take part in letter boxing following the clues to the box of your choice and add your name to the visitors’ book:
http://www.dartmoorletterboxing.org/

Cycling: Dartmoor offers routes to all cycling abilities with traffic-free tracks, rural lanes and forest tracks or the 90-mile circular Dartmoor Way. http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/index/visiting/vi-enjoyingdartmoor/vi-cycling.htm

Climbing: Many of the granite tors for which the National Park is famous offer both challenging routes and exciting bouldering opportunities.  http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/index/visiting/vi-enjoyingdartmoor/vi-climbing.htm

Canoeing: For further information: http://www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk/index/visiting/vi-enjoyingdartmoor/vi-canoeing.htm

Fishing: Stillwater and river fishing available in the nearby River Teign and Kennick, Trenchford and Fernworthy Reservoirs and Darts Farm Fishing Lakes.

Guide to Fishing in the South West: http://www.gethooked.co.uk/

Other Activities outside the Dartmoor National Park:

South West Coast Path: Sections of the path around Exmouth to Exeter to Teignbridge to Shaldon to Torquay are no more than 60-minutes away from Moretonhampstead. Why not walk in one direction and return to your car using public transport. Leaflets can be picked up from TIC’s: http://www.southwestcoastpath.com/