Dartmoor is a breathtaking and mysterious place. The national park comprises 386 square miles of moorlands, forests, rivers, wetlands and craggy granite tors.
- National Parks of the UK: history, wildlife and best walking routes
- Best walks in Dartmoor National Park
How big is Dartmoor National Park?
Dartmoor National Park is 368 square miles, or 954 square kilometres.
Where is Dartmoor National Park?
Dartmoor National Park is in Devon, England
When was Dartmoor designated a National Park?
Dartmoor was designated as a national park in 1951.
Who owns Dartmoor National Park?
Dartmoor National Park isn't owned by a single person or entity. The Duchy of Cornwall owns a significant part of the park, including the Forest of Dartmoor. Other owners include Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Ministry of Defence and the National Trust. Individuals also own it, such as the hedge fund manger Alexander Darwall.
What is Dartmoor National Park famous for?
Dartmoor is famous for its wild ponies which have roamed free on the moors for at least four millennia. It's also famous for its depiction in Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's novel The Hound of the Baskervilles, where a legendary demonic hound is said to stalk Dartmoor. Its lack of light pollution also makes it an excellent place to try out some stargazing. It's also the only place in England where it's legal to wild camp.
Is it legal to wild camp in Dartmoor?
The Supreme Court ruled on Wednesday 21 May 2025 that it is legal to wild camp on Dartmoor.
This follows a lengthy legal battle, after Dartmoor landowners Alexander and Diana Darwall won a High Court ruling in January 2023 that gave them the right to remove wild campers from their 4,000-acre estate on Stall Moor near Cornwood.
The Court of Appeal overturned the High Court ruling in July 2023, which restored the right to wild camp. However, the Darwalls were then granted permission to appeal to the Supreme Court, which has given its verdict.
What activities can you do in Dartmoor National Park?
There are a large amount of attractions scattered throughout Devon, and on Dartmoor there are some of the best. If you are keen to get as much from the landscape as possible, one of the best ways to do so is on horseback. Horse riding can give you a free pass to the wild side of the moors and once on top of said horse you can become immersed in your surroundings. Birds and other animals falter before they dash into the gorse or take refuge in their homes. This opportunity to connect with wildlife on another level has often deserved me a close sighting of a family of roe deer, or a sleepy kingfisher. To find an appropriate riding stables it is important to firstly check the place for it’s professional standards. The stables should be able to cater for any ability, providing horses that are steadier for a nervous or inexperienced rider.
Of course, there is more to do on Dartmoor than riding and nature watching. Climbing, canoeing, walking and cycling can also feature in your Dartmoor diary if you so wish. However, the weekend visitor should not vacate the moors until an afternoon stroll to the top of a tor has been successfully undertaken and enjoyed (even if the rain does show).
Dartmoor folklore
During the Great Thunderstorm of 1638 a small Dartmoor village called Widecombe-in-the-moor is said to have been visited by the devil.
Main image: view over Tavy Cleave in the west of Dartmoor National Park. Credit: Getty
