Dartmoor

Dartmoor is a National Park in the centre of the English county of Devon. It covers 368 square miles (953 km²).

Introduction

The granite upland dates from the Carboniferous period of geological history, and the landscape is both dramatic, and bleak. The rolling moorland is capped with hundreds of exposed granite hilltops (known as tors), and provides rich and diverse habitats for Dartmoor wildlife. The highest point is High Willhays, 621 m above sea level. The entire area is rich in antiquities.

Related Topics:
Granite - Carboniferous - Geological - Moorland - Tor - Dartmoor wildlife - High Willhays

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dartmoor differs from some other National Parks in England and Wales, in that since a 1985 Act of Parliament much of it has been designated as 'Access Land', with no restrictions on where walkers can roam. There are still footpaths in these areas, but they are for guidance and convenience – they do not have to be kept to, and in fact footpaths in these sections of the Park are generally not waymarked. On larger scale – i.e., 1:25,000 – Ordnance Survey maps of Dartmoor, Access Land is edged in purple for easy reference.

Related Topics:
National Parks in England and Wales - Act of Parliament - Ordnance Survey

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

This is not connected with the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, which has established similar rights in other rural parts of the country. Dartmoor is largely unaffected by this legislation because of its existing arrangements.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

However, much of Dartmoor has been used as a military firing range for over 200 years, and so it is necessary to check beforehand (phone +44 (0)800 458 4868) that firing is not taking place. Posts mark the boundaries of the military areas, and they are shown on Ordnance Survey 1:25,000 maps.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Dartmoor's Access Land, incidentally, is still privately owned land. Much of it, in fact, is owned by the Duke of Cornwall, a title held under a charter of Edward III by the heir to the throne of England, better known as the Prince of Wales. Other parts of the Park can, of course, still be accessed via the usual network of footpaths and bridleways.

Related Topics:
Duke of Cornwall - Edward III - Prince of Wales

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The Park was featured on the TV programme Seven Natural Wonders as the top natural wonder in South West England.

Related Topics:
Seven Natural Wonders - South West England

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~