A popular and pristine landscape famed for the Dartmoor ponies who graze here and the many granite tors that jut out of the moorland, Dartmoor National Park is a true get-away-from-it-all destination set in the heart of Devon.
If you’re considering a trip to this beautiful national park, we’ve put together a guide to the best places to stay on Dartmoor to give you some holiday inspiration.
Dartmoor cottages
Yelverton: best for spotting wildlife – including the iconic Dartmoor ponies!
You can’t head to Dartmoor and miss out on spotting one of the famous Dartmoor ponies that have roamed this landscape for centuries. You’re likely to spot them wherever you drive or go walking on Dartmoor, but for a good chance of meeting them, head to the scenic plains just north of Yelverton.
The further north you travel from Yelverton, the more towering tors you’ll discover where you’re likely to meet the local wildlife. Meanwhile, to the east sits Burrator Reservoir, one of the prettiest places in Dartmoor, surrounded by a crop of woodland that’s rare on the windswept plains of the moors.
Highlights:
- Pew Tor – one of the easier, starter tors and just the place to spot Dartmoor ponies
- Burrator Reservoir – a gem of the Devon countryside with a trail looping around the perimeter
- Buckland Abbey – a magnificent property and estate cared for by the National Trust
Okehampton: best for walking and cycling
A traditional market town to the north of Dartmoor, this bustling hub is known as the walking centre of Devon with a variety of great trails to pick from. If you prefer exploring on two wheels, the Granite Way is a wonderful cycle route that follows a disused railway and passes by Meldon Viaduct and Lydford Gorge.
The ruins of 11th-century Okehampton Castle stand on a hill just south of town, while in the centre, you’ll find the shopping arcade, Museum of Dartmoor Life, and a host of old country pubs to visit.
Highlights:
- The Granite Way – a scenic cycle trail that runs from Okehampton to Lydford Gorge
- Okehampton Castle – step inside the ruins of this ancient, English Heritage-managed attraction
- High Willhays – believed to be the highest tor on Dartmoor
Okehampton cottages
Princetown: best for crime podcast fans
This quiet and unassuming town, hidden out of the way in the heart of Dartmoor, is actually home to what was once one of the toughest prisons in the UK. Today, HM Prison Dartmoor is still in use, but the Dartmoor Prison Museum is a visitor attraction that tells the tales of Napoleon-era prisoners of war, the 1932 mutiny, and how the prison conditions have evolved over time – it’s one of the most interesting places to visit in Dartmoor and a great day out.
Aside from the famous prison, Princetown has a choice of lovely places to eat out, wonderful tors nearby for hiking, and was once host to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle when he was writing The Hound of the Baskervilles.
Princetown cottages
Bovey Tracey: best for a breathtaking view of Dartmoor
If you’re wondering where to stay in Dartmoor National Park, the first place we’d suggest is the charming market town of Bovey Tracey. It’s bursting with character, but the very best thing about Bovey Tracey is its proximity to marvellous Haytor. This impressive rock formation is a real icon of the region and on arrival at the summit of this tor, your breath is sure to be swept away by the view of the Dartmoor landscape and the South Devon coast beyond.
Back in the town of Bovey Tracey itself, delights include an ice cream parlour, art galleries and House of Marbles – a museum with marble runs to bring out the child in you.
Highlights:
- Haytor– climb to the top for far-reaching views like nowhere else
- Becky Falls – a family-friendly waterfall attraction with trails, a petting zoo and crafts
- House of Marbles – this marble-centric museum is the place for a dose of childhood nostalgia
Bovey Tracey cottages
Ashburton: best for family adventures
With its colourful cottages, bunting overhead and idyllic hillside all around, Ashburton is possibly one of the most beautiful places to stay in Dartmoor, and certainly a top choice for families looking for fun and adventure.
The immense River Dart Country Park offers a host of activities – you could go on a cycle ride one day and kayaking the next – while Hembury Hill Fort is an Iron Age structure surrounded by magical forest for families to explore.
Ashburton cottages
Ivybridge: best for wild days out
One of the absolute top places to go on Dartmoor has to be the wild and wonderful Dartmoor Zoo, where you can get up close to big cats, wallabies and a whole host of other amazing animals. And if you are keen to venture to this ever-popular zoo, we’d recommend staying in the charming town of Ivybridge, boasting delightful amenities so you are well set up during your Devon holiday.
One evening, book a night at The Watermark arts centre which has a great programme of comedians and musicians throughout the year. Alternatively, dine in a characterful pub or stylish restaurant on the high street, before enjoying a stroll alongside the River Erme.
Ivybridge cottages
Map of our favourite places to stay on Dartmoor
Find your perfect holiday cottage
Get away to the dramatic moorlands and awe-inspiring views of Dartmoor National Park in Devon for a holiday like no other. Now that you’ve read about some of the best places to stay in Dartmoor, browse our holiday retreats and find a hot tub cottage, luxury lodge or big family-friendly property that’ll be perfect for your next break.
Dartmoor cottages