Dartmoor in the springtime is a magical place to be, from the new foals to the lambs frolicking around, it’s a lovely place to spend your time. There are a host of walking trails, businesses offering climbing sessions, tours and even traditions like Letterboxing, but one of our favourite reasons to walk around Dartmoor is to see the history of the National Park.
Some of the most iconic views across the National Park are the tors – large rock formations that have been formed over millions of years. They are made up of granite, which once formed a larger part of the moor before eroding into the tors that you see now.
In the Iron Age, tors were used as hill forts to protect residents from invaders. Later, when Celtic tribes lived around Devon, tors were believed to be sacred places and were sites of religious significance, something that continued into the Middle Ages. Throughout history, tors were used by people for a variety of purposes, including landmarks for finding their way and shelter for those who worked on the moors.
If you want to experience some of Dartmoor’s history while walking around the National Park, here are some of the most popular tors with visitors:
Brentor
Brentor is a great place for walking and climbing – you’ll find lots of visitors around this particular tor, especially those that are interested in photography as the view from the top is quite something. It’s also home to a church and a holy well, both of which make good subjects for photographers.
Hound Tor
Located a few minutes from Bovey Tracey and Widecombe in the Moor, you’ll find a deserted medieval village close to this particular tor.
Haytor
One of the most famous of Dartmoor’s tors is Haytor which has some incredible views across the National Park and onto South Devon.
Sheepstor
Another popular destination for walkers and climbers, Sheepstor is near Yelverton and is a great place for seeing the history of the moor and the different uses for the toes. There is a stone circle and a Bronze Age barrow here to discover.
Want to plan a trip to Dartmoor to explore the tors and meet some of the iconic Dartmoor ponies? Find everything you need for your visit below.
