Dartmoor National Park Authority

Finding Somewhere to Stay

There is a wide range of accommodation available on Dartmoor from luxury hotels, to family run B&Bs, farm accommodation, self catering cottages, hostel type accommodation and camp sites.

The most comprehensive guide to accommodation and places to visit across Dartmoor National Park is the Dartmoor Partnership Ltd website and annual guide. You can request a copy from the Dartmoor Partnership Ltd (formerly the Dartmoor Tourist Association) website (external link, opens new window).  

Dartmoor First
Dartmoor First is the replacement of the  Dartmoor Charter for Sustainable Tourism (627Kb - PDF Help).

Unlike the Dartmoor Charter for Sustainable Tourism, Dartmoor First is an award for all businesses, not just tourism enterprises, on Dartmoor to recognise their commitment to sustaining Dartmoor and its special qualities. Launched in 2009 many businesses have applied to be amongst the first recipients of the Dartmoor First award. Look out for the Dartmoor First logo displayed by businesses and know that they have taken steps to put Dartmoor First.

For further details please visit the Dartmoor First information page


Wealth of Wildlife

The Wealth of Wildlife Project was funded by Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) and is designed to raise awareness and encourage the enjoyment of wildlife on Dartmoor by visitors. Fifty businesses including accommodation providers, attractions, activity centres, pubs and cafés, were visited by an ecologist who surveyed the grounds and produced a tailor-made folder of wildlife information for each establishment for their visitors to use. For further information on the Wealth of Wildlife project and Dartmoor's wildlife, please see the Wealth of Wildlife information under Biodiversity Projects in the Natural Environment section.
If you would like to visit any of the businesses there is a comprehensive listing under the Wealth of Wildlife page.

Serviced & Self-catering Accommodation

All the organisations listed below require that their accommodation has undergone an independent quality inspection to ensure your comfort.

The following links are to external web sites and will open in a new window.

Dartmoor Partnership Ltd (formerly the Dartmoor Tourist Association)(external link, opens new window).
Helpful Holidays www.helpfulholidays.com (external link, opens new window).

Farm accommodation

West Devon Friendly Farm Holiday Group www.west-devon-friendly-farm-holidays.co.uk (external link, opens new window).
Dartmoor and South Devon Farm and Country Holidays www.devonfarms.co.uk (external link, opens new window).
Dartmoor and West Devon Farm Holiday Group www.dartmoor-farm-accommodation.co.uk (external link, opens new window).
Orchard Barn www.orchardbarn.info (external link, opens new window).

Camping & Caravanning:
Camping and caravanning can be an enjoyable way of staying on Dartmoor.  It is important that you use a camp site and do not simply pull off the road for an overnight stop.  Apart from the fact that you may be spoiling the view or polluting streams or waterways which others have come to enjoy you will be committing an offence against local byelaws.  The maximum penalty is £100 and you are likely to be moved on by Police or National Park Rangers as you settle down for the night.

Back Pack Camping

• All Dartmooor, even the open moorland is owned by someone. The owners of this unenclosed moorland do not normally object to backpack camping.  You will not fall foul of local byelaws as long as you keep to the simple common sense camping code:
• Do not camp on moorland enclosed by walls, on the road side or within 100 metres of the road, anywhere within sight of a road or house, in reservoir catchment areas, on very small commons surrounded by farmland, on areas of common which are heavily used for informal recreation, these areas can be viewed at schedule 2 of the Byelaws.
• Dealing with waste. Litter, human excrement and waste water are all pollutants.  They cause offence and can be dangerous.  Take all litter home and deal with other waste in a sensible way.
• Avoiding damage. Don't light fires. Stand camping stoves on a rock to avoid scorching the grass.  Don't over use a site. Avoid pitching on the mark left by another tent.  Don't stay on any site more than two nights. Stay in small groups and away from other parties.Many small farms welcome backpackers and offer simple amenities which make the experience more enjoyable.
• Caravans
  If you are towing a trailer or caravan, remember many Dartmoor roads are steep, winding and narrow.  In fact there is a Traffic Regulation Order which prevents caravans from crossing Holne Bridge and Newbridge both of which are on the road between Ashburton and Two Bridges. You will enjoy your stay more if you leave your caravan on a site on the edge of the moor and explore without it.

Camp Sites

Youth Hostels, Backpackers and Camping Barns

Page updated 11 January 2010