Holiday rentals and lettings in Dartmoor

Table of contents

• At a glance: what should you know about renting a holiday home in Dartmoor?
• Holiday homes in Dartmoor: find your perfect retreat
• Exploring Dartmoor: our top recommendations
• Activities: what are the top things to do and see in Dartmoor?

• Wide choice of stays: From cosy village cottages to spacious family lettings and characterful glamping pods, Dartmoor's holiday homes suit couples, walking groups and families of every size, often just steps from a village pub.
• Best bases to choose: Chagford, Widecombe-in-the-Moor and Postbridge are consistently popular bases, each putting you close to walking trails, traditional pubs and some of Dartmoor's most photographed granite tors.
• What guests love: Guests repeatedly mention peaceful nights, dramatic open skies and hosts who happily share their favourite local walks and hidden picnic spots.
• When to visit: Late spring and early autumn bring quieter trails, newborn Dartmoor ponies in May and golden, low-light colours by September.
• Top things to do: Highlights include climbing Haytor Rocks, following the waterfall trail through Lydford Gorge, and uncovering Bronze Age history at Grimspound and Merrivale.

Couples visiting Dartmoor often book a cottage tucked near a village pub, while walking groups prefer a holiday home with drying rooms for muddy boots and gear. Families with younger children love a glamping pod with its own fire pit, and travellers wanting a personal touch choose a bed and breakfast run by local hosts. Whatever type of holiday home you choose, look out for these popular amenities:

• Free Wi-Fi throughout
• Private gardens
• barbecue facilities
• Pet-friendly facilities
• Fully-equipped kitchens

Dartmoor offers some of the UK's best opportunities for truly getting away from it all; try camping, or look at rustic, secluded log cabins for an off-the-grid escape.

What are the best areas to stay in Dartmoor?

Chagford is often rated the best base for exploring Dartmoor, blending a pretty market-town feel with quick access to the high moor. The table below details areas for specific interests:

What do our guests say?

Guests who choose a Dartmoor holiday home often mention the same things: total peace at night, dramatic views straight from the window, and how quickly the moor's open skies help you switch off. Here are some of our top-rated properties from the last year:

1. Cottage 'Thorn' with fireplace and garden - 9.5+: This traditional thatched cottage sleeps six and welcomes pets. Guests love the picturesque surroundings and large garden.
2. Barn 'Old Armoury Barn' with fireplace - 9.8+: This converted barn is a truly unique property for four. Guests rave about its cleanliness, comfort, and great amenities.
3. Cottage 'Smithy' with garden and parking - 9.6+: This two-person stone cottage is perfect for a rustic romantic weekend. It's surrounded by open moorland which invites you to take long walks.

Dartmoor National Park sits in the heart of Devon, in South West England, spanning wild granite moorland between the cities of Exeter and Plymouth.

✈️What is the best way to get to Dartmoor?

Getting to Dartmoor is straightforward, with good road, rail and coach links from across the South West. Here are the most common ways to get to the national park:

• Car: Leave the M5 at Exeter and take the A30 for North Dartmoor, or continue on the A38 Devon Expressway towards Plymouth for the southern moor. Journey time from either city is around 30 minutes, though minor roads can be narrow with grazing ponies.
• Train: The nearest mainline stations are Exeter St Davids, Newton Abbot, Totnes and Plymouth. For North Dartmoor, the Dartmoor Line runs directly from Exeter St Davids to Okehampton roughly every two hours.
• Coach: National Express coaches serve Exeter and Plymouth from major UK cities, connecting onward to Dartmoor's villages by local bus — a budget-friendly option if you'd rather not drive.

🥗Where to eat in Dartmoor?

According to Google Maps data and reviews, The Dartmoor Inn is the best-rated restaurant in Dartmoor. Below is a table showing the top 5 highly-rated restaurants hand-picked by our travel experts.

⭐Our guests' recommendation: Our guest travellers Emma and James recommend The Cornish Arms near the moor's western edge: relaxed, dog-friendly and perfect after a long day's walking.

☀️When is the best time to visit?

The best time to visit Dartmoor is during late spring and early autumn, when the moor is quieter than during the summer school holidays and the heather is either fresh green or turning purple. May and June bring newborn Dartmoor ponies, while September offers golden light and mild weather for hiking.

Spring (March–May)

• Best for: Wildlife-watching, especially newborn foals and lambs, and quieter trails before the summer crowds
• Weather: Mild days, cool mornings and the occasional shower
• Atmosphere: Fresh, green and peaceful

Summer (June–August)

• Best for: Family holidays, longer daylight hours for hiking and wild swimming spots
• Weather: Warm, with the moor's famously changeable conditions
• Atmosphere: Lively villages and busier trails and tors

Autumn (September–October)

• Best for: Photography, as bracken turns copper and heather fades to purple-brown
• Weather: Crisp and cooler, with beautiful low light
• Atmosphere: Calm and golden, ideal for a slower pace

⭐Our hosts' recommendation: Dartmoor hosts often point first-time visitors towards Lydford Gorge, the deepest gorge in the South West, where a waterfall trail winds past ancient oak woodland to the dramatic Whitelady Waterfall and the churning Devil's Cauldron pothole.

1. Climb Haytor Rocks
2. Explore Lydford Gorge
3. Discover Bronze Age history at Grimspound
4. Spot wild ponies at Bellever Forest
5. Visit Okehampton Castle

1. Climb Haytor Rocks

   One of Dartmoor's most famous granite tors, Haytor Rocks rewards an easy 20-minute climb with sweeping views across South Devon to the coast on a clear day. It's one of the most accessible tors in the National Park, with a car park close to the base, making it a favourite first stop for families and casual walkers. Look out for wild Dartmoor ponies.

2. Explore Lydford Gorge

   Follow the riverside trail through Lydford Gorge, the deepest gorge in the South West, to reach the thundering 30-metre Whitelady Waterfall and the swirling Devil's Cauldron pothole. The steep, wooded paths have drawn walkers since Victorian times and feel especially magical in autumn. The gorge sits close to the Devon–Cornwall border, making it easy to combine with a coastal day trip to Cornwall country if you fancy extending your stay.

3. Discover Bronze Age history at Grimspound

   Step back nearly 4,000 years at Grimspound, a remarkably well-preserved Bronze Age settlement where the stone foundations of 24 roundhouses still sit within a colossal boulder enclosure. Nearby, the Merrivale ceremonial complex adds stone rows and burial cairns to the story, while the ancient portal dolmen at Spinster's Rock is one of the oldest structures in Devon.

4. Spot wild ponies at Bellever Forest

   Wander through Bellever Forest, a peaceful pine woodland where wild Dartmoor ponies often graze along the paths and the East Dart River tumbles over granite boulders. It's an easy, family-friendly walk with several waymarked routes, and the nearby medieval Postbridge clapper bridge is one of Britain's best-preserved examples. If you'd rather pitch a tent nearby, browse wider Devon options before you go.

5. Visit Okehampton Castle

   On Dartmoor's northern edge, the ruins of Okehampton Castle perch on a wooded ridge above the West Okement river, marking what was once the largest castle in Devon. It's a scenic spot for a picnic among the ramparts, and the surrounding parkland offers gentle riverside walks.