| Just a few miles inwards from the South Devon | | | | Books on walking in Devon are also available in the |
| Coast is the ancient Dartmoor National Park. It | | | | information centres dotted around the park |
| covers an area of 368 square miles and offers | | | | (Okehampton, Tavistock, Ashburton, Ivybridge |
| visitors a mix of superb scenery and legendary | | | | and a couple of other locations). |
| history. Dartmoor also has one of the most | | | | · There are also plenty of routes for those keen |
| prominent moors to be found anywhere in Britain. | | | | on cycling, and it's possible to hire bikes in |
| Many visitors view Dartmoor as a wonderful and | | | | Tavistock. The Dartmoor Way is a 90 mile cycle |
| diverse place - indeed it offers a multiple range of | | | | route that includes many of the parks towns |
| terrains from it's tors and woodlands to rambling | | | | including Okehampton, Tavistock and |
| countryside, grass covered hills and river valleys. | | | | Buckfastleigh. |
| The tors formations are actually quite splendid - | | | | · Other outdoor activities available in Dartmoor |
| the granite while being a very tough substance is | | | | include horse & pony rides, fishing and |
| vulnerable to chemical deterioration. This means | | | | climbing. |
| that the acids in rain attacks the surface of the | | | | · In the East lies the pleasant town of North |
| granite causing it to disintegrate into various | | | | Bovey - this is a great place to see quaint |
| shapes and colours. | | | | thatched cottages dating back to the 17th |
| Those who enjoy outdoor activities will have | | | | century. Yet another place to marvel at |
| plenty to do in Dartmoor - just a sample of these | | | | picture-perfect thatched cottages is in the |
| include fishing, trekking and cycling. | | | | charming little town of Buckland In The Moor. This |
| Things To Do & Towns To Visit In | | | | lovely town faces onto woodlands and is also by |
| Dartmoor National Park | | | | the River Webburn (which joins up with the |
| Dartmoor is made up of various small villages and | | | | famous river Dart). |
| towns - one of the very enjoyable experiences | | | | · Expect to see many Ponies grazing along the |
| of visiting Dartmoor is the chance to drive from | | | | stretches of grassland while you drive through |
| one to the other while taking in the great scenery | | | | Dartmoor National Park. |
| en route. From Tavistock in the west to | | | | · Buckfastleigh is home to Buckfast Abbey - one |
| Ashburton in the east, there's plenty to do and | | | | of the most visited icons in Devon. The Abbey |
| see in Dartmoor. | | | | dates back to 1018. Also in Buckfastleigh are the |
| Entire books have been written on Dartmoor - so | | | | Dartmoor otter sanctuary and the Buckfast |
| the following is just a brief description of some | | | | Butterflies Exhibition (where several exotic |
| the places and activities that you can enjoy here: | | | | butterflies can be seen in an exotic environment). |
| · Check out the main visitor centre located in | | | | · Postbridge is a small town in the centre of |
| Okehampton. This town also houses the Museum | | | | Dartmoor National Park - aside from being popular |
| of Dartmoor Life. | | | | with walkers, the town is famous for it's "Clapper |
| · Okehampton Castle is worth a visit - this is | | | | Bridge" (granite bridges dating as far back as the |
| located in Cranmere Pool and these ruins are the | | | | 13th Century) which goes over the East Dart |
| remains of what was once the biggest castle in | | | | River. |
| Devon. | | | | · Another quiet town with sublime cottages and |
| · Walking & trekking opportunities are | | | | green surroundings is Widecombe In The Moor. |
| abundant all over Dartmoor - specific places of | | | | Aside from it's beauty, this location is famous for |
| interest to walkers include South Okehampton, | | | | The Church House - dating back to 1537. |
| Princetown, Chagford and Postbridge. There are | | | | · The little town of Chagford is nestled just |
| also specific routes popular with more | | | | above the River Teign and is also worth a visit |
| experienced trekkers - for instance, Templar | | | | just to amble around the neat town square. Be |
| Way (18 miles) and West Devon Way (14 miles). | | | | sure to visit Market House while you're there. |