There are fewer places as beautiful as Dartmoor and part of its appeal is how widely it changes depending on the season. In the spring, you can find entire areas covered in bright daffodils, snowdrops and bluebells as well as pretty heathers. If you are planning a trip to Dartmoor this spring, here are some suggestions of things to do while at the National Park.
Go to Holwell Lawn
If you liked the sound of seeing bluebells, this is the place to go. In late spring time, you can find a carpet of blue as far as the eye can see – it is really quite lovely. You can find Holwell Lawn by heading to Hound Tor, where there is a car park and then walking the rest of the way towards Holwell.
Go pony spotting
Perhaps Dartmoor’s most famous residents are the herds of wild ponies that have lived there since prehistoric times. While they roam the moor all year around, at this time of year, you are much more likely to spy the new foals – just remember, the ponies are wild, so please don’t get too close!
Have a picnic
There are loads of lovely places for a picnic on Dartmoor and as the weather starts to get better, there are fewer places we’d rather be than on Dartmoor with a selection of our favourite sandwiches. A good spot for a picnic is Spitchwick Common where you can sit on the banks of the River Dart or another option is at Cadover Bridge on the River Plym – both offer scenic views and a nice spot for a rest while exploring the moor.
Brave the water
Speaking of Spitchwick Common, it is one of the most popular places for wild swimming on Dartmoor thanks to the fresh water that runs through there. It might still be a bit too cold in the spring, but if you’re up for it, wild swimming is always fun – just make sure you’re a confident swimmer and always tell someone where you are.
Lose yourself in the woods
One of the most atmospheric places on Dartmoor is Wistman’s Wood which, in the autumn and winter, often looks straight out of a fantasy story. In spring, the atmosphere is still pretty otherworldly, but it is a lot lighter and you can really see the ancient trees. The woods have a circular wood which can also be enjoyed by your dogs!
See the views from the top of a tor
If you feel up to a challenge and want to see some incredible views, trek to the top of Brent Tor. This is one of the most popular tors on Dartmoor, likely because of the views and the Church of St Michael which can be found there. The tor is believed to have been made from lava rather than granite like other tors on the moor, though don’t worry, there hasn’t been any volcanic activity on Dartmoor for centuries.
Check out a waterfall
Did you know Dartmoor has several waterfalls? There’s the Whitelady waterfall at Lydford Gorge, which is managed by the National Trust and has a host of walking trails around it, all starting from the carpark or Venford Falls, Canonteign Falls and Becky Falls.
Get away from it all
If you’re looking for some peace and quiet, you can’t go far wrong with a day trip to Dartmoor. Haytor Quarry and Burrator Reservoir both offer wonderful open spaces where you can sit by the water and just be.
Go cycling
There’s plenty of opportunities to be active while on Dartmoor too. Cyclists will love the Dartmoor Way, a 95 mile loop which goes around the National Park. Other options include the Granite Way, the North Bovey Loop and the Princetown Loop, all of which offer stunning scenery and trails to suit a range of abilities.
Have an adventure
Dartmoor is known for being a great place to have an adventure and there are plenty of organisations offering everything from rock climbing, orienteering, canoeing and more!
Looking for more things to do on Dartmoor? See what else is on offer here
