Dartmoor National Park Authority

Enjoying Dartmoor

Dartmoor is wild in places, rugged and waiting for you to explore and enjoy.

Amongst the first to have their inspiration and imagination captured by Dartmoor were poets, painters, writers and musicians. In more recent years, the magic and mystery of Dartmoor has woven its spell over an ever increasing number of people of all ages and walks of life who simply enjoy the great outdoors.

From spectacular, wide open moorland to more secluded and sheltered tree-lined river valleys, Dartmoor has so much more to offer all year round. And Dartmoor asks for little in return, just respect for its unique environment and your help in looking after it, a price well worth paying so that everyone can enjoy Dartmoor now and for generations to come.

Making note of this respect  of our natural environment and cultural heritage a group of organisations have come together including Natural England, Campaign for National Parks, British Canoe Union and the Ramblers Association amongst many others to form an information portal called Best of Both Worlds (external link opens in a new window) This gives details for the responsible pursuit of adventure activities, outdoor sports and recreation whilst at the same time, it is committed to conservation of the sensitive environments in which they take place – the nature conservation interests, cultural heritage and landscapes that are so valued.

Knowing where to go and what you can do

Call in at one of the Dartmoor National Park Authority’s Information Centres: High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown (open all year, tel: (01822) 890414), Postbridge or Haytor (minimum opening Easter - end of October). Staff will help you with your access enquiries including where to go, when you can go, what you can do, and how you can help to look after Dartmoor. Information on guided walks, and to help those persons with mobility problems enjoy the countryside, is also available. Other local Information Centres will also be able to help you.

Look around our web site for information on public access and recreational activities in the National Park. Visit www.openacess.gov.uk (external link, opens new window) for updates on closures and restrictions, and where to go. www.countrysideaccess. gov.uk (external link, opens new window) for access to the countryside generally. Phone the national Open Access Contact Centre helpline 0845 100 3298 (9am - 5pm Mon - Fri) for enquiries about new rights of access (for land managers and visitors). Check local public transport options - tel: Traveline 0870 608 2608 www.traveline.org.uk (external link, opens new window) Check the weather - tel: Weathercall 09014 722054

Page updated 28 July 2010