Dartmoor hotels and self catering cottage accommodation in Dartmoor

Devon » Dartmoor accommodation

Millions of years ago, an eruption of granite created a high rocky plateaux punctuated with some unusual shaped rocky outcrops - these are the tors which make up Dartmoor National Park. This beautiful wilderness, of 365 square miles, also features rolling hills, forest-filled valleys and both sheep and pony grazing freely.

Many remains of ancient human presence can be found, such as hut circles, tombs and standing stones. Of a more recent origin, abandoned 19th century tin and copper quarries and mining facilities can still be seen. With a seemingly endless list of places to visit, Dartmoor attracts visitors from around the World.

The main gateway onto Dartmoor, Bovey Tracey is an old village, near which the Park’s Authority head office is located, inside a 19th century manor.

Famous both for its church, known as the Cathedral on the moor, and its fair, still held every year, Widecombe-in-the-Moor also features inspiring views.

For a great example of a prehistoric settlement, Grimspound, between Hookney and Hameldown, holds two dozen structures, surrounded by a 9 ft wide wall.

Another famous, yet gloomy place is Dartmoor Prison, located in equally gloomy Princetown. Built in the early 19th century for prisoners in the war against France, the whole town revolves around the prison and was partially constructed by the prisoners.

A more attractive spot, Dartmeet is located at the meeting point of the West and East Dart Rivers. From there, they stream down a beautiful forested valley. Much visited in the summer months, one can still find peace and quiet in these woods.

Okehampton offers some great views, as it sits north of High Wilhays and Yes Tor, the two highest peaks in all of Dartmoor, rising to over 2,000 ft (700 metres).

Hountor Village, a village buried in a Dartmoor valley until the 1960s, still holds some ancient structures, and was probably inhabited until the 14th century, when the climate started changing.