Dartmoor is an area of roughly 368 square miles at the centre of Devon in the United Kingdom. It consists of a mixture of both moorland, river valleys and wooded areas, and is a popular destination for holidays and days out.
The area is known for its high moorland of granite hilltops and steep slopes, covered with a mosaic made up of short heathers, bracken ferns and other shrubs. Its tors (rocky hilltops) can be seen for miles in all directions, making it one of the most unique areas in England.
Despite being largely uninhabited, Dartmoor has been shaped by human hands through thousands of years – from its prehistoric settlement sites, to its medieval farming landscapes; from its modern public access strategies to contemporary heath management. Here we’ll explore some of these aspects in greater detail.
Geography
Dartmoor is a large area of moorland in Devon, England, and is the largest area of protected moorland in the country. It is a dramatic and distinctive landscape with rolling hills and valleys and an array of diverse habitats, all of which can be explored. Here, we will look into the geographical features of the region and what makes it so unique.
Location
Dartmoor is an area of moorland that is located within the county of Devon in England. It spans an expanse of 368 square miles and the national park boundaries encompass a large area that starts from Okehampton to Ivybridge, and from Tavistock to Haytor Down. This means that Dartmoor is one of the largest areas of open, wild land in Southern England, with an incredibly diverse landscape full of moorland streams, rocky outcrops and mysterious ancient monuments.
The closest villages to Dartmoor are Yelverton and Princetown, both with beautiful views across the rugged landscape. They remain popular locations for visitors to explore having easy access on foot or bike. Wider views can be found on a number of walks beginning right outside these villages taking you through deep oak woods towards typical Dartmoor granite tors making the landscape appear even more stunning when illuminated by the setting sun.
Climate
The climate of Dartmoor is temperate and is found in the Maritime Climate Zone of the United Kingdom. The warmest months are July and August with an average temperature of 11°C (52°F). The coldest month is January with an average temperature of 4-5°C (39-41°F). The wettest months are May, June, and October which receive around 60mm (2.4in) compared to the driest months in February and July which receive 30mm (1.2in) each. Snowfall can occur anytime from late December to early March, though it does not often settle for long on the moor due to mild upland temperatures. Overall Dartmoor experiences almost twice as much rain as southerly locations such as Plymouth in Devon, Wales and much of Scotland due to its topography being surrounded by higher ground on three sides – thus bringing more moisture-laden clouds towards it via what is known as the Atlantic Ocean air stream flow.
Landscape
Dartmoor is a national park located in Devon, England. It covers an area of 368 square miles and consists of moorland ranging from 50 to 600 meters above sea level. This area has long been renowned for its beauty and diversity, home to wild ponies, herds of deer, along with other mammals. Earth features such as tors (rock formations), bogs (peaty wetlands), rivers, and becks provide habitats for a variety of plant and animal life. Man-made features such as ancient archaeological sites, abandoned dwellings from past human civilizations add to the historical nature of Dartmoor.
The landscape of Dartmoor is made up of gently rolling hills that are dotted with granite tors stretching into the sky. Heather and grasses dominate the moorland giving it a unique purple hue during late summer months while in winter snow blankets them whitely. The open expanses create an awe inspiring backdrop against the clear blue sky that offers few places escape the winds that often fill the air. Ancient woodlands have been carefully preserved due to their heritage status giving soft shelter beneath their oaks and pines while exposed granite tors offer stunning vistas over the entirety of Dartmoor National Park below them.
History
Dartmoor is an area of southwest England that has a rich history and is of great cultural importance. Even today, it may come as a surprise to find that many of its wild areas remain unchanged since prehistoric times. The stunning landscapes are relics of the bronze age and are scattered with graves, settlements, and monuments that hint at the events that took place in the area thousands of years ago. Let’s delve deeper into the past and uncover the history of Dartmoor.
Prehistory
Prehistory is the period of human history before the invention of writing systems, before the development of metal tools, and before recorded history. Prehistoric humans were able to make tools from wood and stone, fire, and other materials. They were hunter-gatherers who migrated in search of food instead of staying in one place all year round.
The prehistory era can be divided into three distinct periods: paleolithic, mesolithic, and neolithic. In the Paleolithic period (which lasted roughly until 10000 BC) people used simple stone tools such as axes, spears, knives, and chisels which they could use to hunt game or extract food from plants and other sources. The mesolithic period (roughly 10000 BC – 5000 BC) saw the invention of new tools such as bows and arrows which allowed for more efficient hunting of small game and gathering plants for food. The neolithic period was a time when the discovery of agriculture led to a more sedentary lifestyle as they began to domesticate animals and farm crops.
Since writing was not developed until much later in human history none of these events were recorded; instead we have archeological evidence left behind by these prehistoric cultures which has helped us to piece together their lifestyles from that time period.
Medieval Period
The Medieval Period is part of a larger period known as the Middle Ages that began with the fall of the Roman Empire in 476 and continued until the start of the Renaissance in 1400. In this period, Europe was filled with turmoil and war, but you could also find some amazing feats of cultural, scientific, and artistry developments.
During the Medieval Period, there were many important figures like Charlemagne who increased literacy in Europe, as well as groundbreaking scholars like Anselm of Canterbury who helped found Christian scholasticism. It was also a time when craftsmanship flourished – unusual items such as decorated candlesticks were crafted from ivory and large cathedrals built using stone.
Wars were also commonplace during this period – these wars ranged from mostly localized skirmishes to territorial disputes (such as between England and France). Transportation during these times was hazardous because travelling by land meant travelling on barely maintained dirt roads which commonly doubled for trade routes; more dangerous still was travelling by sea which involved facing strong winds and terrible storms. As a result, it often took weeks or even months for message to be sent from one location to another.
Overall it was a tumultuous time on Europe which eventually give way to a flourishing period known as the Renaissance; however, those living during this time faced hardships that are still remembered today because they served lay some essential foundations for the era that followed them.
Modern Period
The modern period of Dartmoor’s history began after the Norman Conquest in 1066. After this, Dartmoor was divided into different land ownership units called manors and farms, which are still seen today. During the late 1200s, small towns and hamlets began to form around these areas. During the late 1600s copper mining became a major industry in Plymouth and some parts of Dartmoor.
During this time, there was an increase in the farming population on Dartmoor as it provided much needed employment for local people. By the late 1700s large cattle farms had started to dominate much of the landscape. Although most of these have now gone, there are still several traditional upland farming communities on Dartmoor today.
Dartmoor is a well-known tourist destination with visitors coming from afar to explore its stunning scenery and heritage sites such as its Bronze Age stone circles and medieval farmsteads. The first visitor centre opened at Haytor in 1822 but it wasn’t until 1904 that widespread access to Dartmoor was made available with the opening of new roads and improved rail links from Plymouth and Exeter . In 1951 the National Park Authority (now called the National Park Authority) was established by Parliament to protect 22 miles squared of Borrowdale Valley out of which all three million yearly guests explore today .
Wildlife
Dartmoor National Park is a unique area in the South West of England that is rich in wildlife. From native birds like buzzards and red kites, to mammals like red deer, ponies, and foxes, Dartmoor is home to an amazing array of creatures. There is also a wide variety of rare and protected species that make their home in the moors. In this article, we will discuss some of these creatures and learn more about what it takes to protect this extraordinary environment.
Plants
The climate of the rolling hills and open spaces of Dartmoor have given rise to an astonishing diversity of rare plants. These include cross-leaved heath, ilford bramble, the marsh gentian, clustered bellflower, Devon bedstraw and tormentil. It is home to 12 species of wild orchid, two species of rare heather ( Calluna vulgaris and Vaccinium myrtillus) and over 400 different kinds of moss that thrive on its sheltered flanks. Some plants found on Dartmoor are unique to the area including Jones’s White Narcissus which is only found in a few known locations on the moor. The warm sheltered areas around its cliffs provide shelter for such uncommon plants as spike-rushes and meadowsweet while on a good day out walking you may spot wood anemone, purple saxifrage or early marsh-orchid.
Animals
The expanses and were once roamed by large numbers of red deer, wild boar and wolf (all extinct now). The area is still home to a thriving population of birds, insects and mammals. The Dipper bird is commonly seen near streams and rivers along the moor. Due to the low level of light pollution, night skies are a great place to spot falcons, owls and bats. The Dartmoor has been a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty since 1995 and its flora and fauna are both varied and well protected.
Mammals: Small mammals such as voles, shrews and hares populate the moors throughout most of the year. Red deer are popular spotted on higher ground during the late summer months when they migrate through post-breeding areas in search of food. Pine Martens can often be seen scampering around some of the more remote parts of the Moor while Common Pipistrelles, Daubenton’s Bats (aka Water Bats) can be spotted nearby rivers at dusk or later in evening.
Birds: Over 200 species reside here during periods throughout their migratory cycles; having nested or stopped off en route to warmer climates. From Tawny Owls to Cuckoos to Fulmars there is a fantastic selection right under our noses here on Dartmoor National Park with many more resident species such as Ravens being in abundance all year round.
Insects: Invertebrate life flourishes from bright butterflies like Red Admirals flitting through heathery glades across moorland in summertime to Dark Bush crickets living amongst dense woodlands providing chance April visits hereon Dartmoor at times surprising you with how loud they can call out! These smaller species that may not get as much attention make up as much 80%+ biodiversity within our eco systems here so it is important we look after them too!
Activities
Dartmoor is a National Park in the south west region of the UK and is famous for its wild scenery and rolling hills. There are a variety of outdoor activities to enjoy in and around the park, from walking and cycling, to horse-riding, bird-watching and a range of watersports. Let’s take a look at some of the best activities to do in Dartmoor.
Hiking
Hiking is a great way to explore outdoors, admire beautiful landscapes and connect with nature. Hiking can be adapted to allow for different levels of intensity and length; it is a great activity for individuals, families and groups looking for some physical exercise combined with fresh air and new experiences.
When planning a hike the first step is to research the terrain you will be traversing — check information about elevation gain/loss, type and nature of terrain, potential obstacles such as waterways or other natural obstacles (e.g., roots), as well as necessary supplies like water and food. A good rule of thumb is to always bring more than you think you will need in terms of food and clothing: layers are always recommended such that if conditions become cooler, additional items can be quickly added on top or vice versa during warmer sections.
Most importantly, even after thorough research remember that hiking requires physical effort—inhaling the fresh air that comes from being in nature is far worth it! Make sure to adjust your pace based on your fitness level, and do not forget to take breaks when needed while also having an eye out for potential routes back if any unanticipated circumstances arise. Hiking in groups may also present new travel companions with similar interests — which may ultimately lead to future developing friendships. Lastly ensure you note points of interest along the route: wildlife sightings, summits reached or simply a breathtaking view are all reasons why hiking can be so rewarding!
Cycling
The old moorland roads of Dartmoor make it a perfect destination for cycling, with miles of quiet country roads, a large network of bridleways and some vast trails through rugged landscapes. Depending on your route and preference, there are some fantastic opportunities for mountain biking in Dartmoor National Park with the highest point – High Wilhays at 621 Mtrs above sea level offering fantastic views across the vast expanse of the moors. Dartmoor is peppered with trails to choose from, but be sure to study your route first as paths can be uneven or boggy underfoot in sections. To rent a bike in Dartmoor National Park try:
-Neal’s Yard Cycle Hire in Postbridge
-Chagford Bike Hire
-Burbage Granite Cycle Hire
If you don’t fancy exploring by bike alone you can join organised tour groups from Teign Valley Heated Swimming Pool that have a range of guided cycle tours in the area. The routes available vary seasonally and are designated for different abilities so you can pick something that suits your group!
Horse Riding
Horse riding is a popular activity on Dartmoor, the largest area of “wild” land in England. The vast expanse of the moor is perfect for long canters and fast gallops. With its varied terrain, twisty trails and opportunities to jump, horse riders will be delighted by the challenging tracks and expansive open plains.
In addition to cross-country riding on Dartmoor there are several licensed riding establishments offering guided pony trekking rides or guided hacks that provide an introduction to Dartmoor’s natural landscape. Small groups can enjoy tailormade rides with experienced guides who offer safe routes around two operating bridleways with direct access from some establishments; this allows for a much more relaxed experience than if venturing into the wilderness alone.
When out horse riding on Dartmoor, it is important to ride responsibly as it is a protected National Park with free roaming ponies and livestock, making safety paramount at all times for both equestrian and visitors alike. To ensure this requirement is maintained all visitors are asked to adhere to signs which may point out local access restrictions or informing riders of areas where dogs are not permitted due to resident livestock. If you have any questions then please ask at the local visitor’s centres before heading out onto the moor or contact your chosen operator directly if you have booked a guided ride.