National parks · South West England
Dartmoor
Also known as: Park Kenedhlek Dartmoor
Dartmoor is a National park in South West England.
Photo by P Fletcher (Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0) licence
Plan your visit
- Typical visit
- 4 h–8 h
- Best time of year
- Spring – autumn (Apr–Oct)
- Free entry
- Family-friendly
- Dog-friendly
About
Dartmoor is a national park in the United Kingdom. It covers approximately 954 km². Designated in 1951. According to Wikipedia: "Dartmoor is an upland area in southern Devon, South West England.". It is one of fifteen designated national parks across England, Scotland, and Wales, protected for its landscape and recreation value.
Photo gallery
From the Wikipedia article
Dartmoor is an upland area in southern Devon, South West England. The moorland and surrounding land has been protected by National Park status since 1951. Dartmoor National Park covers 954 km2 (368 sq mi). The granite that forms the uplands dates from the Carboniferous Period of geological history. The landscape consists of moorland capped with many exposed granite hilltops known as tors, providing habitats for wildlife. The highest point is High Willhays, 621 m (2,037 ft) above sea level. The entire area is rich in antiquities and archaeological artefacts. Dartmoor National Park is managed by the Dartmoor National Park Authority, whose 22 members are drawn from Devon County Council, local district councils and Government. The Dartmoor Commoners' Council exists to create and enforce regulations regarding commoners' rights. Parts of Dartmoor have been used as military firing ranges for over 200 years. The public is granted extensive land access rights on Dartmoor (including restricted access to the firing ranges) and it is a popular tourist destination.
Excerpt from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0. See the source article linked in Sources below.
Background
Description
The climate became wetter and cooler over the course of a thousand years from around 1000 BC, resulting in much of high Dartmoor being largely abandoned by its early inhabitants. It was not until the early Mediaeval period that the weather again became warmer, and settlers moved back onto the moors. Like their ancient predecessors, they used the natural granite to build their homes, preferring a style known as the Dartmoor longhouse. The earliest surviving farms, still in operation today, are known as the Ancient Tenements. Most of these date back to the 14th century, and some even earlier. Some of the longhouses are still inhabited today, although they have been clearly adapted over the…
Visiting
The park's main visitor centre is located in Princetown and features exhibits about Dartmoor's history, culture and wildlife, as well as changing displays of local art. The visitor centres located in Postbridge and Haytor feature information, maps, guidebooks and items for exploring the area.
Sourced from Wikipedia under CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Coordinates
- 50.5667, -4.0000
- County
- Devon
- District
- West Devon
- Parish
- Dartmoor Forest
- Postcode
- PL20 6SS
- Parliamentary constituency
- Torridge and Tavistock
- Established
- 1951
- Official site
- www.dartmoor.gov.uk
Sources
- wikidata: Q214823 (CC0)
- wikipedia: Dartmoor (CC BY-SA 4.0)
- commons: Dartmoor Prison.jpg (CC BY-SA 2.0)
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Frequently asked questions
- Where is Dartmoor?
- Dartmoor is in Devon, South-West England, United Kingdom (postcode PL20 6SS), in the parish of Dartmoor Forest.
- When was Dartmoor built?
- Built or established in 1951.
- Is Dartmoor free to visit?
- Yes, Dartmoor is free to enter.
- How do I get to Dartmoor?
- Drivers can navigate to postcode PL20 6SS. It sits within the Torridge and Tavistock parliamentary constituency.