We’ve teamed up with Emma from  Westcountry Resorts who has kindly contributed this blog. Emma shares insider knowledge about walking through Dartmoor, along with tips and breathtaking gems, that only the locals know about!

Westcountry Resorts can help whether you are looking for a used static caravan, new holiday home, or an exclusive luxury lodge to purchase in the South West, you will find that Westcountry Resorts, can offer a wide range of holiday homes and locations to suit everyone. With beautiful locations across the South West, Westcountry Resorts now opens the door to luxury holiday home ownership throughout the South West of England, to include Devon, Somerset, Dorset and Cornwall.

Emma specialises in selling luxury holiday homes at Westcountry Resorts including those built by Pathfinder Homes.

5 Beautiful Spots to Walk Through in Dartmoor

In our humble opinion, Dartmoor is one of the most beautiful places in the country! With exhilarating walks, charming towns and villages, as well as spectacular views, what’s not love? If you live nearby, we are certain that you will agree.

Now more than ever, it’s important to spend time in remote locations rather than busy towns and cities so that we can avoid unnecessary contact with others when we go outside.

Although we are currently allowed outside only once per day for exercise, we think it’s important to make the most of your daily outing.

With that in mind, we decided to put together a guide to five of the most beautiful spots on Dartmoor for local walks.

Haytor

Probably the most famous of the Dartmoor Tors, Haytor is definitely worth paying a visit to if you’re hiking on Dartmoor. If you climb to the top, you’ll witness stunning panoramic views across Dartmoor and the South Devon coast.

Make sure to look out for the local wildlife, including rare birds and butterflies. If you’re incorporating Haytor into a walk, many people opt for a route which takes you onwards from Haytor to Hound Tor.

Lustleigh Village

As well as its beautiful natural landscapes, Dartmoor is also known for being home to a number of charming traditional English villages which are scattered around its edges. Our personal favourite is picture-perfect Lustleigh, which is home to the famous Lustleigh Show.

Although it will be quieter than usual at the moment, it’s still a great walk if you live locally. It’s often referred to as ‘the prettiest village in Dartmoor’ and for good reason! You will find thatched cottages, meandering pathways and green woodlands.

Buckfast Abbey

For a slightly more unusual slice of history, it’s worth visiting Buckfast Abbey where Benedictine Monks have been making the famous Buckfast Wine since the 1890s.

Unfortunately, the exhibitions and the Abbey church are closed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, you can still access the grounds, which are free to enter and walk around. Just remember to keep your distance from others!

Lydford Gorge

Over on the western side of Dartmoor, you will find the famous Lydford Gorge which is known for being the deepest river gorge in the South West. This is where the ‘Devil’s Cauldron’ lies – a series of noisy whirlpools which almost look as though the water is being boiled from underneath! You can also see the Whitelady Waterfall, an impressive natural feature which cascades from high above.

The complete walk around Lydford Gorge is around three miles (although there are some tricky sections) and is a great option for a longer walk if you live close by.

River Dart

Although the River Dart isn’t just a single beauty spot, we’re still putting it on this list! Many of the most beautiful nooks and crannies nestled away on Dartmoor can be found just next to the river. The river is best appreciated in the sunshine, when the water reflects the light in a beautiful way (and luckily we seem to be having a lot of that at the moment).

Some of the best Dartmoor walks can be discovered by following the river. If you’re walking on Dartmoor, you may even stumble upon it by accident, but make sure you take the time to appreciate its natural beauty.

There you have it – 5 natural spots you can visit if you live close to Dartmoor and want to make the most of your daily exercise. Just remember to be sensible when you are out and about and keep a 2-metre distance from other walkers!

This blog was written by Emma at Westcountry Resorts, who specialise in selling luxury holiday homes, including those by Pathfinder, in Devon and Somerset.