Why we love Dartmoor and Exmoor
Is this England’s wildest corner? With heather-strewn moors, mysterious woods and dramatic granite 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 character: Dartmoor’s rugged tors and hidden valleys lie at the heart of Devon, while Exmoor combines sweeping hills with 37 miles (59 km) of dramatic coastline and skies so clear it became 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.
Photo by: VisitBritain
Location: England

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. Which of these outdoor activities in Dartmoor will you choose?
Photo by: Getty Images/Martyn Ferry
Location: Simonsbath, England

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
Location: England

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/Mark Easement Photography
Location: England

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 Exmoor 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
Location: England

Follow a star trail
Thanks to its open vistas and low light pollution, Exmoor’s stargazing scene is incredible. 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.
Things to do in Dartmoor and Exmoor
Featured things to do
Photo by: Getty Images/Martyn Ferry
Location: Simonsbath, England

Blooming marvellous
In spring, the landscape softens before your eyes – with perky snowdrops, wild daffodils and fields full of lambs. Why not try a photography workshop or painting course to capture its beauty?
Learn more about springtime in Exmoor (opens in a new tab)Photo by: VisitBritain/Ben Selway
Location: Ashwick, England

Peak fitness
The long summer days are perfect for hiking, so spend a week walking the Two Moors Way – a 117-mile (188km) coast-to-coast route, encompassing both Dartmoor and Exmoor.
Learn more about the Two Moors Way (opens in a new tab)Photo by: Getty Images/Katie Simmons
Location: England

Written in the stars
Europe’s first International Dark Skies Reserve, Exmoor has that star quality. Make the most of those long autumn nights with a stargazing session with Wild About Exmoor. After a hearty, home-cooked meal, you’ll be given the lowdown on the National Park’s starry sights before being unleashed on the telescopes. Can you see the Milky Way?
Go star-spotting with Wild About Exmoor (opens in a new tab)Photo by: alicialawjy
Location: Princetown, England

Nature’s magic
When winter fog descends on the gnarled, tangled oak trees of Wistman’s Wood, it looks like a fairytale forest. Rare lichens cling to the branches, adding to its otherworldly feel.
Learn more about Wistman's Wood (opens in a new tab)Places to stay in Dartmoor and Exmoor
Farmstays and bed and breakfasts
Make yourself at home! For a local welcome, you can’t beat a family-run bed and breakfast, farm campsite or rural pub-hotel.
Grand estates
Some of the region’s finest mansions and country houses have been transformed into lavish hotels, blending grand architecture with award-winning restaurants too.
Unique rentals
For a quirky stay, take your pick from cute thatched cottages, silver Airstream caravans and vintage train carriages.
Explore nearby
Getting to Dartmoor and Exmoor
Plymouth and Exeter are the region’s largest cities; depending on your destination in Exmoor or Dartmoor, the driving time ranges from 20 minutes to two (or more) hours. Trains connect Plymouth with Exeter (one hour), London (three hours) and Bristol (two hours 20 minutes), while Heathrow and Gatwick airports can be reached by road in three to four hours. Southampton Airport is a two- to three-hour drive away. There are also flights from a range of UK and international airports to Exeter International Airport.
Getting around
While a hire car will give you the greatest freedom, it’s easy to explore Dartmoor and Exmoor by public transport. Discover Dartmoor by both train and bus, while Exmoor has several bus routes. If you’re hiking long-distance, book a luggage transfer in Dartmoor or Exmoor to carry your bags.
By bus
All aboard the Exmoor Explorer, run by First Bus. This open-top bus runs all over the park and beyond, including Lynmouth and Minehead. Stagecoach also has services connecting the region’s towns and villages.
By train
The Dartmoor Line runs from Exeter to Okehampton – the jumping-off spot for hiking, cycling and other outdoor adventures. Other mainline routes link Exeter, Barnstaple and Taunton.
By bike
On two wheels, Dartmoor and Exmoor are yours to discover. Hire a bike in Dartmoor and hit the cycle trails in Exeter: there are routes for all abilities. Look out for well-marked routes such as the Granite Way and Tarka Trail.
Want to know more?
For insider tips and the top places to visit, head to Dartmoor and Exmoor’s official websites.
Dartmoor National Park is located in the county of Devon in the South of England. It’s bordered by several towns including Okehampton, Ivybridge and Tavistock. The city of Exeter is only a 36-minute drive away, making the park easily accessible for day trips.
Exmoor National Park is situated on the coast of South England, stretching across Somerset and Devon. It is bordered by the Bristol Channel and lies between the towns of Minehead and Barnstaple.
Dartmoor National Park offers a vast landscape for those who enjoy the outdoors and historical exploration.
- Walking and Hiking: The park offers plenty of hiking opportunities such as Haytor or Hound Tor which provide excellent viewpoints across the moorland.
- Wildlife Spotting: There’s also plenty of wildlife to see, including the Dartmoor ponies who roam the landscape.
- History and Heritage: The park is also home to a series of ruins and historic structures such as stone circles and the ancient Clapper Bridge at Postbridge.
- Adventure Sports: The rugged terrain is ideal for rock climbing, bouldering, and mountain biking and has dedicated trails such as Drake’s Trail Cycle Path.
Exmoor National Park is known for its unique combination of moorland, woodland, and dramatic coastal cliffs.
- Coastal Exploration: The park features some of the highest sea cliffs in Britain and its South West Coast Path offers scenic views of the Bristol Channel.
- Dark Skies: As a Dark Sky Reserve, the park is also an exceptional location for stargazing due to the lack of light pollution.
- Nature and Wildlife: The area is home to wild Exmoor ponies and one of England’s largest herds of wild red deer.
- Scenic Villages: There’s also a range of scenic villages located nearby with plenty of history to explore such as Dunster, with its medieval castle, and Lynton and Lynmouth with their water-powered cliff railway.


































