Dartmoor and Exmoor

Why we love Dartmoor and Exmoor

Is this England’s wildest corner? With heather-strewn moors, mysterious woods and dramatic peaks, Dartmoor and Exmoor can feel like the edge of the world. They’re a nature-spotter’s joy, grazed by wind-tousled ponies and statuesque red deer – and an adventurer’s paradise, a landscape to climb, hike, cycle, scramble and splash.

Dartmoor and Exmoor are two separate national parks: the former is wholly in Devon, while the latter crosses the border into Somerset too. But they are easy to travel between, and both have their own charms: while Dartmoor’s deep valleys and granite peaks are inland, Exmoor has 37 miles (59km) of coast to explore, and was Europe’s first International Dark Sky Reserve – renowned for its dazzling stargazing.

From cross-country pony treks to enchanted forest walks, here’s how to explore these untamed parks for yourself.

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Photo by: VisitBritain

Silhouette of person hiking on large hill at sunset

Escape the ordinary

Feeling adventurous? From mountain bike trails and high ropes courses, to gorge scrambling, hiking and abseiling – this landscape is made for exploring. Dartmoor’s many granite outcrops (known as ‘tors’) are rock climbing hotspots, while activity centres offer bushcraft tours, orienteering and more.

Photo by: VisitBritain/Ben Selway

Horses and riders trotting through the shallow water.

Make a four-legged friend

Ponies have roamed Exmoor and Dartmoor for thousands of years – but where to find these hardy herds? For guaranteed sightings, the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust arranges free guided walks in Bellever Forest, while the Exmoor Pony Centre hosts riding treks from its Winsford Hill base.

Photo by: VisitBritain

Couple balancing on boulders by a stream near trees

Look out for letterboxes

Since the 1800s, Dartmoor hikers have been ‘letterboxing’. This adventurous hobby entails searching the moors to find secret boxes, which have ink-stamps hidden inside. How many can you collect? You’ll need compass and map-reading skills, and a clue-book from the Dartmoor Letterboxing Club.

Photo by: Getty Images

Location: Dartmoor and Exmoor

Windswept Pony, Exmoor National Park, Somerset, UK

Go off-road on the moors

Only the hardiest 4x4 can reach Dartmoor and Exmoor’s untamed corners – where ponies mooch, red deer graze, and raptors hunt for their prey – so join an off-road wildlife tour with an expert guide. They know this land inside-out, and will regale you with myths, legends and animal sightings.

Photo by: Exmoor National Park Authority

Three people at night at Dark skies festival in Exmoor Park

Follow a star trail

Thanks to its open vistas and low light pollution, Exmoor boasts some of the world’s best stargazing. In October, the Dark Skies Festival hosts astronomy talks and activities, while the Exmoor Dark Sky Discovery Trail – available year-round – is a two-mile (3km) hiking route to the finest after-dark spots.

The two National Parks of Dartmoor and Exmoor in south west England combine to offer dramatic coastline, untamed moors, spectacular wildlife and miles of trails to explore.

Climb the iconic Haytor Rocks for stunning views across Dartmoor and the South Devon coast or spot wild deer and free-roaming ponies on an off-road wildlife tour.

Hike coast to coast on the Two Moors Way, or explore at night on the Exmoor Dark Sky Discovery Trail.

Uncover 1,000 years of history at Dunster Castle and Watermill, while admiring the subtropical gardens and Grade II listed parkland.

Fun fact

Standing high above the Teign Gorge on the edge of Dartmoor, Castle Drogo was the last castle to be built in England, with the chapel’s bell tower the final part to be completed in 1931.

Photo by: National Trust Images/James Dob

Location: Castle Drogo

Exterior of Castle Drogo, looking up through the fir trees

Did you know?

Ponies have roamed on Dartmoor and Exmoor for thousands of years, with Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust offering guided walks to see free-roaming ponies in Bellever Forest, and Exmoor Pony Centre hosting riding treks.

The Museum of Dartmoor Life houses a vast historical collection spanning 5,000 years, with displays including a reconstructed Bronze Age hut and Victorian kitchens.

Exmoor’s exceptional stargazing potential is celebrated annually at the Dark Skies Festival in October and all year-round on the 2-mile (3km) Exmoor Dark Sky Discovery Trail.

The Two Moors Way runs for 102 miles (160km), from Ivybridge in the south to Lynmouth on the north coast, passing scenic villages, historic churches and rivers.

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