What is Dartmoor?
Dartmoor is a national park in Devon, southwest England, known for its wild granite moorland, rocky hills called tors, Dartmoor ponies and ancient stone monuments. It covers about 954 square kilometres.
The moor's granite was formed around 300 million years ago. Over time, weathering left exposed rock outcrops called tors, such as Haytor and Hound Tor, which are popular with walkers and climbers.
Dartmoor has many prehistoric remains, including stone rows, stone circles and Bronze Age huts. It has one of the highest concentrations of Bronze Age remains in Britain.
Wild camping and legends
Dartmoor is one of the few places in England where wild camping is allowed in certain areas. Its status was confirmed after a court case that ended in 2025.
The moor inspired Arthur Conan Doyle's novel The Hound of the Baskervilles, in which Sherlock Holmes investigates a mysterious hound.
Dartmoor Prison, in Princetown, was built in 1809 to hold prisoners of war. The moor is also known for its unpredictable weather, with fog and rain that can make navigation difficult.
Dartmoor ponies have lived on the moor for centuries. Other wildlife includes skylarks, red deer and adders. The national park was established in 1951.