Top 10 Amazing Facts about Dartmoor

Panorama at Rippon Tor. Photo by: Addshore- Wikimedia.

Top 10 Amazing Facts about Dartmoor

Dartmoor is a highland area located in Southern Devon, England. This area is surrounded by a national park, which has been protected by the law since 1951.

Dartmoor is a lovely, wild, and utterly stunning area and is mostly famous for its amazing landscape views, a lot of historical sites, national parks, and many more exciting things to do and see.

You can take a walk through hiking trails, take bicycle rides through the gorgeous trails, take on wild swimming in the moor you can go wild camping, or take a guided trip around the national park.

1. Visit Dartmoor national park

Dartmoor Forest: track to Foggintor. Photo by: Martin Bodman- Wikimedia.

Dartmoor National Park is among the most magnificent national parks in the United Kingdom. Exploring this National Park in Devon with my van in summer was a treat, thanks to its large open fields, provincial laws that permit wild camping, ponies, and the tors.

This wide moorland is filled with walking and hiking paths, it is the home to adorable villages, and was even the inspiration for the Sherlock Holmes classic ‘Hound of the Baskervilles.’ Dartmoor has several attractive locations to explore, including Britain’s highest waterfall, stunning churches, and magical woodlands. 

There are about 2,800 historical buildings in Dartmoor national park and 1,078 authorized monuments. These are some of the fascinating activities you can do for free!

2. The only place in Britain where the Bog Hoverfly exists

Bog-dwelling Drone Fly (Eristalis cryptarum). Photo by: Jimmy Dee- Wikimedia.

Bog hoverflies (Eristalis cryptarum) are little predatory insects with narrow yellow bands on their dark abdomens and orange legs. Very little is known about its biology in the UK, however latest sightings have come from sheltered rhos farms and valley mires on the outskirts of open moorland.

Although it had already been reported from a number of locations in southern England, it has not been discovered anywhere besides Dartmoor since the 1950s. They are uncommon in Dartmoor and are highly endangered according to the UK Red Data Book.

The species are currently considered endangered and declining throughout the European region.

In the last ten years, the bog hoverfly has been observed at 18 different locations along Dartmoor’s eastern edge. They are spread across ten nesting sites, these areas have various sizes from 1-300 hectares.

They grow in small mires and flushes, commonly in rhos fields produced in shallow valleys. From April to September, they are most frequently spotted by observers while exploring blooms such as marsh marigold, bogbean, bog asphodel, heather, and devil’s-bit scabious.

3. The National park management and the rules and regulations

The Dartmoor National Park Authority manages the Dartmoor National Park.  A park of this distinction and status requires an effective management system to maintain smooth operation.

There are around twenty-two members chosen from the government, Devon County Council, and the local district council. They manage the park’s day-to-day activities and make sure you have a good time.

The park is easily accessible; one may drive there or use public transport, as there are buses that run frequently! Private landowners, commoners, the Ministry of Defence, the Forest Commission, Southwest Water, and the Dutchy of Cornwall all share ownership of Dartmoor National Park.

4. Amazing history about Dartmoor

The Dartmoor region itself has a rich history, which should not be overlooked! Dartmoor National Park, as a region with minerals, makes a rich mining and geological history to discover!

Local mythology and urban legends play an important role in the history of the area, and the Dartmoor National Park Authority does an excellent job of providing guided tours for visitors.

There are also scheduled seminars and events where visitors would learn a lot of facts and hear stories about the area and its best features.

5. Adventurous activities to do in Dartmoor

Dartmoor National Park – 1986. Photo by: Helmut Zozmann – Wikimedia.

Dartmoor National Park offers a wide range of activities! There is plenty to do, and these activities are suitable for people of all ages.

There are activities for both children and adults and pets, such as dogs, are welcome! You may stroll and play with your dogs here because there are dog-friendly paths and dog food!

If you leave your dog at home, he or she will feel lonely. Seeing the view from the modern Castle Drogo is one of the most intriguing activities to do here! Buckfast Abbey also has a monastery and a bakery where you may get some wonderful bread.

Do not pass up festivals and events like Chagstock and The Two Moors Festivals!

6. Riding a bike through the hiking trails

Do you enjoy cycling and desire the ambiance of a national park? You will appreciate and enjoy riding in the Dartmoor National Park because of the magnificent views and wonderful pathways. This is the area to blend relaxation and hobbies.

The Dartmoor National Park, which boasts approximately 350 kilometers of pathways and back roads, permits adults and children to cycle within the park!

Although there are certain guidelines that must be followed on where to cycle and which paths to take, a full map may be obtained at the park’s National Park Visitor Centers.

Wray Valley Trail, Dartmoor Way, Haldon Forest Trails, the Granite Way, Granite & Gears Princeton to Burator Route, Granite & Gears Princeton to Burator Route are some of the trails one my take while cycling.

7. An army shooting range facility is available for visitors

A section of this magnificent park is utilized as an army shooting range and has been utilized for nearly two centuries solely for this purpose! The shooting range is also prohibited to the general public, this area is also a sightseeing area for tourists!

8. Dartmoor is one of the leading granite producers

Dartmoor National Park is the largest producer of granite in the United Kingdom. Indeed, it is. Many people believe that national parks are primarily for wildlife. Dartmoor is a special place.

Granite, an innovative rock formed of quartz, alkali feldspar, and plagioclase, was intruded at depth as a pluton, a rock that solidifies from magma into the earth’s surface, as per scientists, 309 years ago.

There are also a lot of tors in the park. A tor is a hill or rocky peak that dates back to the Celtic era and is also referred to as a ‘bulging hill’ in Scottish Gaelic.

There are around 400 tors in the national park, according to estimates! St Michael’s Church is located on one of the tors.

9. Filled with rivers, many sources of water

Dartmoor is a park with a lot of variety. Dartmoor’s highest points serve as drainage basins for the rivers in the area.  These rivers provide energy to companies such as quarries and tin extraction.

Tourists may fish in several of these rivers, which is a fascinating experience!

Canoeing is also available. Dartmoor is named from one of the rivers, the River Dart, which has two tributaries, the East and West Darts, which meet near Dartmeet.

10. Beautiful landscape that anyone would thoroughly enjoy

This park is one of the most distinctive national parks in the country. As the area is so big, there are several activities to do. Horse photography workshops, a visit to the National Park Visitor Center in Hayton, a trip to King Arthur’s Cornwall in Tintagel as well as a hot air balloon ride, are just a few of the activities available.

Dartmoor is a scenic area that always has something for everyone. Apart from the moorland, this area has a lot more to offer to tourists. The area has one of the most beautiful towns and villages that adds more character to the place.