Outdoors & Nature in Dartmoor National Park
Tottiford Reservoir, Moretonhampstead, Dartmoor National Park
One of three reservoirs near the north eastern border of Dartmoor National Park Tottiford Reservoir is one of three beautiful reservoirs north of Bovey Tracey and south west of Moretonhampstead. Tottiford was the first reservoir to be built in what is now Dartmoor National Park. Tottiford was bui...
Houndtor Down, Manaton, Dartmoor National Park
Houndtor Down is home to Hound Tor, Hound Tor Abandoned Medieval Settlement (English Heritage) and Holwell Lawn. The latter has one of the best bluebell showings in Dartmoor National Park. Houndtor Down was used for crops and livestock during the medieval period when the abovementioned settl...
West Okement Head, Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park
Up on Dartmoor’s north plateau, within a short distance of each other, are the headwaters of many of the National Park’s most famous rivers. The moorland here is remote, boggy, rough cut and tussocky. Given that the headwaters are located on a plateau, it’s also possible to argue that the view...
Avon Dam Reservoir, South Brent, Dartmoor National Park
Magnificent reservoir on Dartmoor's south moor Avon Dam Reservoir is one of the many beautiful and much visited reservoirs in Dartmoor. It's situated in the south eastern section of the National Park towards the edge of Dartmoor's south moor. The Abbot's Way, as marked on the Ordnance Survey E...
Thornworthy Tor, Chagford, Dartmoor National Park
Explore the northern section of Chagford Common and, against the backdrop of Fernworthy Forest, you'll see a rocky outcrop topping a reasonably large hill surrounded by a chunky stone wall. The outcrop is Thornworthy Tor and we were told by the local farmer that the wall demarcates a newtake or Dart...
East Webburn River Valley, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park
Widecombe-in-the-Moor is located towards the middle of the East Webburn River Valley. As a consequence, the valley is one of the most visited in the National Park. The upper section of the valley is dominated by Hamel Down. The lower section is heavily wooded where the East Webburn River meets th...
East Dart Head, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park
On Dartmoor's north plateau, in a bowl of moorland below some of the National Park's highest hills, are the headwaters of the East Dart River. It's a remote, strangely intoxicating area far away from villages and towns. After periods of wet weather, the land is boggy and unpleasant to walk across. I...
Kestor Settlements and Field System, Chagford, Dartmoor National Park
Spend time walking in the northern section of Chagford Common and you'll see plenty of people heading up to Kestor Rock or wandering across to see the Shovel Down Stone Rows. Others strike out across the common on their way to high north plateau around Wild Tor and Watern Tor. Few explore the settle...
East Webburn River, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park
The East Webburn River rises near Hameldown Tor and English Heritage's Grimspound on the vast back of Hamel Down. The headwaters are close to Hamel Down Cross and Broad Barrow. From its source, the river cuts deep into moorland and tumbles past Berry Pound before arcing through Natsworthy. It flo...
Okement Hill, Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park
Okement Hill is remote, high moorland in the northern section of Dartmoor National Park. It's relatively easy to get to. At the southern end of the army ring road, you can walk or mountain bike up the hill using the safe, solid rough road. Okement Hill is known for its disused army observation point...
Hound Tor (East Dartmoor), Manaton, Dartmoor National Park
One of Dartmoor's most impressive and popular tors One of Dartmoor's most impressive and popular tors, Hound Tor is a collection of rocky outcrops in the eastern section of the national park close to both Haytor Rocks and the village Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Note that there is another Hound...
Middle Tor, Chagford, Dartmoor National Park
Middle Tor is one of three rocky outcrops running along the edge of the northern section of Chagford Common. Unsurprisingly, Middle Tor's the middle outcrop. Great spot for an evening picnic as the sun arcs west and lights the beautiful countryside around Chagford, Meldon Hill and the mouth of the T...
The Green, Widecombe in the Moor, Dartmoor National Park
The Green is the focal point of Widecombe-in-the-Moor. Surrounded by shops, cafes, pub, church and its associated buildings, the village green is a great place to relax after a wander. A local information board provides a historical perspective. 'The Village Green was once known as 'butte pa...
East Okement Head, Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park
The River Okement flows from Okehampton to meet the River Torridge north of Hatherleigh in Mid Devon. The River Okement rises in two places on Dartmoor's north moor. The West Okement River has its headwaters up by Cranmere Pool. The East Okement River rises on a flank of Okement Hill by th...
Frenchbeer Rock, Chagford, Dartmoor National Park
Frenchbeer Rock is a small granite outcrop on the edge of the moors in the northern section of Chagford Common. There are various hut circles near Frenchbeer Rock and it provides great views of Fernworthy Forest and the Chagford area with Easdon Tor beyond. It's one of three rocky outcrops running i...