Dartmoor

Dartmoor is a large upland area in Devon, England, known for its open moorland, granite tors and long human history. Covering about 954 square kilometres (368 square miles), it was established as Dartmoor National Park in 1951. The landscape features exposed granite outcrops called tors, such as Haytor, Hound Tor, and Bowerman's Nose, set among heather, grasses, and boggy hollows. The River Dart and several tributaries drain the moor, creating valleys, mires, and seasonal reservoirs.

Dartmoor's ecology includes a mix of heathland, grassland and woodland on the lower slopes, with wildlife such as native birds, bats and the famous free-ranging Dartmoor ponies that roam parts of the moor. The climate is Atlantic-influenced, with high rainfall and cool temperatures, contributing to peat bogs and wet moorland.

The moor is rich in archaeology, with thousands of sites spanning the Bronze Age to the present. Found are hut circles, stone rows, cairns and the well-preserved Grimspound settlement. Industrial remains include granite quarries, lime kilns, and old tramways. In Princetown sits HM Prison Dartmoor, established in the early 19th century.

Dartmoor National Park is managed by the Dartmoor National Park Authority. The area is a popular destination for walking, climbing, cycling and wildlife watching, with extensive public rights of way and open access land enabling exploration of the landscape.