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A mini guide to
Dartmoor: tips and FAQs
Local know-how and common questions
Local know-how
Tips for visiting
Check the firing ranges
Parts of the northern moor are military ranges with restricted access, so check before planning a walk there.
Follow the granite tramway
Near Haytor, the 1820 tramway used shaped granite blocks as rails to carry stone to the Stover Canal.
Pair Castle Drogo with Fingle Bridge
Castle Drogo stands above the Teign Gorge, and the 17th-century packhorse bridge at Fingle is downstream.
Widecombe Fair
The fair in Widecombe-in-the-Moor is held on the second Tuesday of September.
Winter closures
The National Trust's Lydford Gorge and Finch Foundry close for the winter; check dates before you go.
Seasonal events
Winter in Torbay
Dates come from the organiser's own page.
Bay of Lights
28 November 2026 to 3 January 2027
Illuminated events across Torquay, Paignton and Brixham, centred on a 1.5-mile Illumination Trail along Torquay seafront.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Where is Dartmoor?
Dartmoor is in Devon, England. Granite tors, clapper bridges, Bronze Age sites and moorland villages in a national park. Nearby stops and stations include Okehampton station, Totnes and Newton Abbot stations, Plymouth station.
How long do I need in Dartmoor?
2 to 4 days. Allow longer if you plan to eat out or visit several attractions.
What are the highlights?
Highlights include Haytor, Haytor Granite Tramway, Hound Tor. See the Things to do page for more.
How do I get there?
Nearby: Okehampton station (GWR (Dartmoor line)); Totnes and Newton Abbot stations (GWR, CrossCountry); Plymouth station (GWR, CrossCountry); Granite Way (Walking and cycling). The Getting there page links to the official timetables and journey planners.
Where can I eat and drink?
We list 21 places to eat and drink in and around Dartmoor, with filters to help you choose.
Where should I stay?
We list 12 hotels and other places to stay nearby. Check availability and prices with each property.
Is Dartmoor accessible?
Accessibility varies by street, building and venue. Check each attraction or operator’s access information before you travel.
While you are here
Things to see in Dartmoor
A few of the sights in the area. The Things to do page lists them all, with directions and official links.
Widecombe-in-the-Moor
Moorland village whose church is called the Cathedral of the Moors for its tall tower; home of Widecombe Fair.
Haytor
Granite tor on the eastern edge of Dartmoor, also known as Haytor Rocks.
Haytor Granite Tramway
Tramway of 1820 with rails cut from granite, built to carry stone from the Haytor quarries to the Stover Canal.
Devon
More areas to explore
Exmoor & Lynmouth
A cliff railway, wooded gorges and high moorland where Exmoor meets the sea
Open the mini guide →
Exeter
Cathedral city on the Exe with Roman walls, medieval passages and a historic quayside
Open the mini guide →
Plymouth
Waterfront city of the Hoe, the Barbican and the Mayflower Steps
Open the mini guide →Photo credits
- Princetown: Totnesmartin, Public domain, source
- Widecombe-in-the-Moor: Pasicles, CC0, source
- Haytor: Nilfanion, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Haytor Granite Tramway: Ethan Doyle White, CC BY-SA 3.0, source
- Exmoor & Lynmouth: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Exeter: Rüdiger Wölk, CC BY-SA 2.5, source
- Plymouth: Herbythyme, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Torquay, Paignton & Brixham: Kolforn, CC BY-SA 4.0, source
- Dartmouth, Totnes & the Dart: Andrew Abbott, CC BY-SA 2.0, source
Photos from Wikimedia Commons, used under the licences shown. All photo credits
Keep exploring Devon