Dartmoor National Park

Dartmoor

Dartmoor is a high granite upland rising up from the rolling Devon countryside in South West England. With spectacular "tors" - rocky outcrops adorning many hills, the bleak open moors are in contrast to the lush valleys and woodland below.

Getting to Dartmoor National Park

Two important railway branch lines serve Dartmoor - the Tamar Valley line between Plymouth and Gunnislake, and the recently reopened Dartmoor Line (weekends in summer only) between Exeter, Crediton and Okehampton. These are linked by the Great Western main line to the south of the National Park.

There is also an useful network of local bus services, including the spectacular Transmoor link (DevonBus 82) which links Plymouth and Exeter through the heart of the National Park via Princetown and the high moors, and Devonbus 86 which skirts the northern perimeter of the Park between Plymouth, Tavistock, Lydford, Okehampton and Barnstaple following the West Devon Way.

On Sundays, the Dartmoor bus network is strengthened by a number of additional Dartmoor Sunday Rover services which connect with trains to and from Okehampton and Gunnislake stations, with links to Morwellham Quay Heritage Centre and into the heartland of the National Park.

Useful contacts:

National Park and Visitor Information: Dartmoor National Park Website

or telephone 01822 890414 or 01822 612938

Public Transport Information: 0870 608 2 608

Leisure Tickets:

Dartmoor Sunday Rover  - £5 per adult, OAP £4.50, Child £4, Family £12, covers rail travel on the Tamar and Dartmoor Lines, (execpt Good Friday, Easter Monday and May Bank Holiday)  plus most bus services on Dartmoor.

Transmoor Link An interavailable ticket valid on service 82 Transmoor Link plus Stagecoach service X38/39 between Exeter and Plymouth - £6.50 per adult, £4.30 per child.

Timetable: Comprehensive Dartmoor Public Transport Guide with details of all services, National Park and tourist information, guided walks programme, self guided walks etc. available free of charge locally at National Park Centres or TICs, or in case of difficulty ring the above enquiry number.

See also Devon & Cornwall Car Free Days out

Best places to stay without a car: Okehampton(Youth Hostel at Okehampton Station), Tavistock, Moretonhampstead.