2 days in Dartmoor: a weekend itinerary
Granite tors, wild ponies and a famous pub fire, on England's southern moor.
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- Updated October 2026
Dartmoor is a wild upland of granite tors, rivers and ancient stone circles in the middle of Devon. This plan uses a car to link the best-known spots, with a classic tor on day one and a riverside and moorland loop on day two.
The weather can turn quickly and mist is common, so take navigation and waterproofs.
Day 1: Haytor and Widecombe
- Morning: Climb Haytor, one of Dartmoor's best-known granite tors, with wide views to the sea on a clear day.
- Lunch: Eat at a pub in Widecombe-in-the-Moor, a pretty moorland village.
- Afternoon: Walk part of the old granite tramway near Haytor, or watch the wild ponies that graze the moor.
- Evening: Have dinner at a pub, then a drink by an open fire.
Day 2: Postbridge and Dartmeet
- Morning: See Postbridge's ancient clapper bridge, a stone slab bridge over the East Dart.
- Lunch: Eat at the Warren House Inn, a remote pub famous for a fire that has reputedly burned for more than a century.
- Afternoon: Walk at Dartmeet, where the East and West Dart rivers meet, or visit Lydford Gorge.
- Heading home: Leave in the late afternoon, and allow extra time for narrow moorland roads.
Where to stay
Widecombe and Chagford are charming moorland villages, Moretonhampstead is a lively small town, and Totnes and Exeter offer more choice.
Prices change daily, so check a few sites. These are affiliate links.
Getting there and around
- From Exeter: About 30 to 40 minutes by car.
- From Bristol: About 2 hours by car.
- From London: About 3.5 hours by car, or 2.5 hours by train to Exeter.
A car is the easiest way to get around. A few buses serve the moor, but timetables are limited.
If it rains
On a wet day, swap the tors for Lydford Gorge's waterfalls, a pub lunch and a visit to the Dartmoor Prison Museum.
Packing list for Dartmoor
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Frequently asked questions
Can I do Dartmoor without a car?
Mostly not. Some buses run, but a car gives far more freedom.
Is Dartmoor safe in the mist?
Mist can disorient walkers, so carry a map and compass and stay on clear paths.
Are there military firing ranges?
Yes, parts of northern Dartmoor are used for military training, with red flags flying when they are in use, so check and avoid them.
Keep planning
Granite tors, wild ponies and ancient woodland
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Last reviewed October 2026. Prices, opening times and travel details change, so check before you go. Report an error or share a tip.