Your Perfect Dartmoor Road Trip

Your Perfect Dartmoor Road Trip Loop from Tamar View

Picture this: a clear morning in Devon, coffee in hand, the Tamar Valley stretching out below your lodge. By nightfall, you’ll have walked through one of Britain’s last ancient oak woodlands, crossed a river on stepping stones, watched ponies graze beneath a 120-foot church spire, and stood on a granite tor with sweeping views to the coast. That’s your perfect Dartmoor road trip in a single day.

Dartmoor National Park spans 368 square miles of rugged granite tors and deep river valleys, threaded with 450 miles of public rights of way. It is the most prominent landscape for Bronze Age archaeology in western Europe, yet its prettiest villages, beauty spots, and woodland trails are surprisingly easy to reach by car. This loop is designed for guests at Tamar View Holiday Park who want a full but relaxed day out-no motorway slogs, no strenuous hikes, just the best of Dartmoor at a pace that suits mixed-ability groups and families.

Watch our Dartmoor Road Trip Video Guide

Starting and ending at Tamar View Holiday Park near Gunnislake this loop takes you through the heart of Dartmoor, stopping at Tavistock, Haytor, Dartmeet and the breathtaking Sherbeton Stepping stones there really is something new to discover around every bend in the road.

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend or staying a little longer, this scenic route is packed with unforgettable views, charming villages, wild Dartmoor ponies, stone walls and hidden gems you just can’t miss!

We’ve put together the Ultimate Road Trip Video so you don’t have to.

Be sure you save this one for later…

Watch Video Here

Before you leave:

Fill up with fuel in Tavistock or Ashburton – stations are scarce on the open moor.
Download offline maps due to limited mobile coverage across Dartmoor.
Check the Dartmoor National Park Authority site for path closures.
Roads are single-track with a 40 mph limit.

Packing checklist:

Waterproof jacket and warm layer (even in August)
Sturdy, waterproof footwear
OS Explorer map or offline GPS
Snacks, water, power bank
Small change for pay-and-display car parks

Need Somewhere To Stay?

Tamar View Holiday Park is around 30 minutes from Dartmoor, making it the perfect base for a day of moorland exploring; with a comfy lodge and a hot tub to come back to.

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Stop 1: Tavistock (PL19 0AE)

Tavistock is a charming market town on the western edge of Dartmoor with a rich history rooted in tin mining and wool. As a former stannary town, its granite architecture and broad market square feel solid and timeless.

Park near the town centre and head for the Pannier Market, which buzzes with local-produce stalls on Tuesdays and Saturdays. Independent cafés and bakeries line the surrounding streets—grab a proper breakfast, pick up picnic supplies for later, and wander the riverside walk along the Tavy if time allows. Browse the antique shops and historic buildings around the Guildhall area before moving on.

Allow about an hour here. When you’re ready, head up onto the open moor via the B3357 towards Princetown. The drive from Tavistock to Princetown is about 13 miles, passing near Dartmoor Prison and the viewpoint at Pork Hill before you reach Two Bridges.

Stop 2: Two Bridges and Wistman’s Wood (PL20 6SW)

This is where the landscape shifts. Town streets give way to open moorland, scattered granite, and grazing Dartmoor ponies. Keep an eye out for Bellever Tor on the skyline and the famous Warren House Inn—the highest pub in southern England, a welcome stop for nature lovers year-round.

Nearby you’ll also pass Merrivale, one of Dartmoor’s finest prehistoric settlements with impressive stone rows dating back thousands of years. Park at or near the Two Bridges Hotel and lace up your boots.

The walk to Wistman’s Wood is roughly three miles return over uneven, often boggy ground. Sturdy waterproof footwear is essential. What you’ll find is extraordinary: Wistman’s Wood is an ancient oak woodland with twisted trees and moss-covered boulders, sprawling across just 3.5 hectares of the West Dart river valley. Many of these dwarf oaks are 400–500 years old. The site is a designated SSSI, and a regeneration project launched in 2023 aims to double the woodland’s size by 2040.

Stop 3: Sherberton Stepping Stones (approx. PL20 6SP)

The next stop swaps tors for rivers. Follow quiet lanes south from Two Bridges towards the Sherberton and Dartmeet area (approximate postcode PL20 6SP for the stepping stones).

A short walk down to the West Dart River brings you to a photogenic line of stones – a great spot for photos and a paddle in low water. Warning: avoid crossing if the river is running high or fast after rain. There are no facilities here, so carry what you need.

Nearby you’ll also pass Merrivale, one of Dartmoor’s finest prehistoric settlements with impressive stone rows dating back thousands of years. Park at or near the Two Bridges Hotel and lace up your boots.

The walk to Wistman’s Wood is roughly three miles return over uneven, often boggy ground. Sturdy waterproof footwear is essential. What you’ll find is extraordinary: Wistman’s Wood is an ancient oak woodland with twisted trees and moss-covered boulders, sprawling across just 3.5 hectares of the West Dart river valley. Many of these dwarf oaks are 400–500 years old. The site is a designated SSSI, and a regeneration project launched in 2023 aims to double the woodland’s size by 2040.

Stop 4: Dartmeet (PL20 6SG)

Just a short drive on, the East and West Dart rivers converge at one of Dartmoor’s most popular beauty spots. There’s a car park, café, and toilets. Dartmeet features an 18th-century stone bridge and the remains of a medieval clapper bridge, both worth a look.

Spread out a picnic, let children paddle in the shallows, or take a short walk along the riverbank.

Stop 5: Widecombe-in-the-Moor (TQ13 7TA)

From Dartmeet, the route winds through some of Dartmoor’s prettiest villages. The narrow lanes, high hedgebanks, and sudden moorland views are part of the charm.

This postcard-perfect village is famous for the folk song “Widecombe Fair” and its towering ancient church spire. The Church of St Pancras—the “Cathedral of the Moor”—rises over 120 feet, visible for miles.

Wander the village green where ponies graze among thatched cottages, visit the National Trust shop in the 1537 Church House, and settle into a cream tea at one of several cafés offering light lunches and cakes. For something heartier, the Old Inn serves locally sourced dishes, while the Rugglestone Inn nearby offers a cozy atmosphere and hearty meals—some with open fires in cooler months.

On the drive between stops, consider brief detours to Buckland-in-the-Moor, which features an ancient church and rock carvings, or North Bovey, one of Dartmoor’s prettiest villages. Lustleigh, often called the prettiest village in Dartmoor, sits in the Teign Valley just east of here.

Stop 6: Haytor Rocks (TQ13 9XT)

The next stop is one of Dartmoor’s most iconic granite tors. A free car park (often with a coffee van) gives access to an easy walk of about one mile return to the summit.

Haytor Rocks offers panoramic views across the moor and—on clear days—sweeping views to the coast. Nearby, Hound Tor is another striking site worth a look if time allows.

Try to time a late-afternoon visit to catch golden light on the granite. The landscape here is pure open moor, exposed and exhilarating.

Stop 7: Ashburton (TQ13 7DX)

Drop down from the hill through Bovey Tracey direction and onto the A38 towards Ashburton. The stretch from high moor to wooded valleys is a scenic route in its own right.

Ashburton is another former stannary town with slate-hung houses, antique shops, delis, and independent cafés—a great final stop for a well-earned treat before heading back to the park.

Dartmoor has 2,800 listed buildings, and Ashburton contributes its fair share. The town also sits close to the A38, making it a practical spot to top up fuel before the final leg.

Return to Tamar View Holiday Park (PL17 8JA)

Head back to Tamar View Holiday Park via the A38 and A390. This last stretch is mostly main road driving, roughly 45–60 minutes depending on traffic.

You’ll arrive back in time to watch sunset over the Tamar Valley countryside, perhaps already planning another day out—Castle Drogo in the east, Burrator Reservoir to the southwest, or Lydford Gorge with its 30-metre-high White Lady Waterfall are all within easy reach.

FAQ: Your Dartmoor Road Trip Questions Answered

These FAQs cover common questions not fully addressed in the main itinerary above.

How long does this Dartmoor road trip take from Tamar View Holiday Park?

The full loop works best as a full day out of around 8–9 hours. Pure driving time is roughly 3–3.5 hours, but the walks, meals, and photo stops at each visit add up. If you leave Tamar View by mid-morning and keep loosely to the suggested timings, you’ll be back by early evening without rushing.

Is this route suitable in bad weather or winter?

The route is technically driveable year-round, but walks at Wistman’s Wood and river crossings at Sherberton become unpleasant or unsafe in heavy rain, strong winds, or ice. On rainy days, spend more time in Tavistock and Ashburton, skip the stepping stones, and shorten tor walks. Always check the Dartmoor National Park website and local forecast before setting out in winter.

Are there toilets and food stops along the way?

Toilets are available in Tavistock town centre, Dartmeet car park, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, and cafés in Ashburton. Food and drink are easy to find in those same towns, but the moorland stretch between Two Bridges and Dartmeet has very few facilities. Carry water and snacks, especially with children.

Can I adjust this itinerary if I have less time?

Skip Sherberton Stepping Stones and limit time in either Tavistock or Ashburton. The headline stops—Wistman’s Wood, Dartmeet, Widecombe, and Haytor Rocks—give you the core Dartmoor experience in roughly six hours. In winter, focus on one or two short walks and explore the villages instead.

Is this Dartmoor road trip family-friendly?

Absolutely. Short walks, riverside paddling, and frequent village stops for toilets and snacks make this road trip well-suited to families with school-age children. Supervise children closely near rivers and roads where animals wander freely, bring spare clothes and towels for anyone likely to get wet at Dartmeet, and pack simple car games for the shorter drives between stops.

Are dogs welcome on this route?

Yes, Dartmoor is very dog-friendly. All outdoor stops on this route are lovely for dog walks. Keep dogs on leads near livestock and sensitive habitats like Wistman’s Wood.

Can I do this route in reverse?

Absolutely. The loop works equally well in either direction, so feel free to switch it up.

What should I bring?

Sturdy walking shoes, waterproof jacket, snacks and water, cash for car parks or village shops, and a camera – you’ll want it.

Tamar View Holiday Park

Overlooking the beautiful Tamar Valley National Landscape, offering a peaceful countryside escape in luxury lodges and cosy cottages. Perfectly placed for exploring both Cornwall and Devon, it’s an ideal base for discovering Dartmoor’s dramatic landscapes, charming villages and unforgettable days out.

Discover Tamar View

Lovely lodge great views hot tub brilliant ... in all a nice lodge with a great location for dartmoor. Would stay again.

Theresa H, Tripadvisor

Want to Discover more about Dartmoor?

Make Tamar View your base and discover more of Dartmoor’s spectacular spots. From charming market towns and peaceful villages to ancient woodland and dramatic moorland views, our handpicked route showcases the very best of Dartmoor.

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