As part of our Green Traveller's Guide to Dartmoor National Park, Paul Bloomfield picks out a selection of characterful places to stay, including B&Bs, hotels, self-catering and camping in this wild and beautiful protected area in south west England.
In delightful contrast with Dartmoor’s often wild beauty is its warm hospitality: from bucolic campsites and barn conversions to stylish B&Bs and grand country-house hotels, there’s a wealth of choice here, all imbued with local character and most blessed with dramatic moorland views.
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best – and most eco-sensitive – places to stay in and around the national park, all accredited with the Dartmoor First appellation, recognising their efforts to promote sustainability and local development. That might mean biomass boilers and discounts for visitors arriving on foot or by bike; it could involve special energy-saving measures or creation of wildlife-friendly habitats; it almost certainly means delicious, locally sourced or homegrown fare.
Whether you’re after a family holiday or a romantic weekend break, a base for a walking adventure or somewhere to relax and be pampered, we’ve found an array of welcoming places to host you on your Dartmoor visit.
Google map: shows the location and details of all the places to stay, local food and drink, nearby visitor attractions and activities in our Green Travel Guide to Dartmoor National Park:
Green = Places to stay Blue = Local food & drink Yellow = Attractions Purple = Activities
Places to stay in Dartmoor National Park
Harford Bridge Holiday Park, Dartmoor, England
Alongside the River Tavy in the west of Dartmoor, Harford Bridge is a delightfully landscaped site managed to encourage local wildlife, with nestboxes, hedges, wildflowers and bird food provided. It is a Conservation Award winning park (David Bellamy Blooming Marvellous 2022) and won Gold in the 2021/22 Visit Devon Best Camping and Caravanning Park of the Year. Provides camping, caravans, cottages and lodges. harfordbridge.co.uk
Lifton Hall Hotel, Devon, England
A family run, relaxed and friendly hotel in the heart of southwest England. There are 10 individual ensuite bedrooms, a cosy bar and a stylish restaurant serving freshly prepared, locally sourced meals. Just what you need for a relaxing getaway! liftonhall.co.uk
Overcombe House, Devon, England
A four-star award winning guesthouse in Dartmoor National Park, close to the beautiful Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Breakfasts are a treat, with a fab selection of local, organic, fairtrade and homemade produce. overcombehotel.co.uk
Barnabas House, Dartmoor, England
Barnabas House is a lovely Edwardian property beautifully refurbished to provide 6 bedrooms, all with en-suite or private bathroom and free wi-fi. Recently awarded VisitBritain 4-star award, with the Walkers' and Cyclists' Welcome accreditation. barnabas-house.co.uk
Beechwood B&B, Dartmoor, England
Ideally placed for exploring the wild central tors, Beechwood boasts wonderful views, beautiful gardens and delicious food. This charming B&B retains the feel of a country cottage, updated with home comforts to welcome returning walkers and cyclists. beechwood-dartmoor.co.uk
Gages Mill Country Guest House, Dartmoor, England
Gages Mill is a stylish and relaxed guesthouse near Ashburton and Buckfast Abbey. Six elegant en-suite bedrooms channel country style with pine furniture, contemporary floral patterns and the most comfortable beds. Serves delicious local breakfasts. gagesmill.co.uk
Lowertown Farm, Dartmoor, England
The quintessential Dartmoor farm, Lowertown is complete with a flickering woodburner, horses across the yard and hens scratching around the garden. Comfortable rooms and a beautiful secluded location make this the perfect rural getaway. lowertownfarmdartmoor.co.uk
Wingstone Farm, Dartmoor, England
A working farm, Wingstone offers excellent self-catering and B&B accommodation in the beautiful heart of Dartmoor. In a tremendous setting, and with endless possibilities for outdoor activities, this is the perfect place for an active rural getaway. wingstonefarm.co.uk
West Blackdown Cottage, Dartmoor, England
A bucolic 18th-century farm cottage set in its own three acres of grounds, West Blackdown is blissfully peaceful and offers tremendous views across the western moor. Spacious and comfortable, it is the perfect base from which to explore Dartmoor. westblackdowncottage.com
Hunters Moon, Dartmoor, England
Just north of the national park, on the Granite Way cycle trail between Okehampton and Lydford, Hunters Moon is a great base for exploring this corner of the moor. The charming 17th century cottage provides modern day comforts in a stunning setting. huntersmoon-devon.co.uk
Lovaton Farmhouse, Dartmoor, England
Situated on the moor’s northern edge, Lovaton is a beautiful 18th-century farmhouse carefully renovated to provide comfortable, contemporary accommodation in a stunning location. With a huge garden and 15-acre wood, this is a great rural getaway. lovatonfarm.co.uk
Mitchelcroft B&B, Dartmoor, England
A magical hideaway in the moor’s south-eastern quarter, Mitchelcroft manages to combine the rustic ambience of a wood cabin with elegant contemporary style and a real sense of immersion in nature. mitchelcroft.co.uk
The LongHouse, Dartmoor, England
This 15th-century cottage is wonderfully tucked away yet conveniently sited in the centre of the vibrant town of Moretonhampstead. Three cosy bedrooms, a beautiful garden and welcoming hosts make this a great base from which to explore Dartmoor. longhousebnb.co.uk
The Arundell Arms Hotel, Dartmoor, England
A fine country hotel, The Arundell Arms offers luxury accommodation, fishing and country sports, wonderful restaurants, wedding facilities and a conference centre. Perfect for events, large groups and couples. arundellarms.com
Bedford Hotel, Dartmoor, England
Situated in the heart of the beautiful market town of Tavistock, the Bedford is a grand, crenelated hotel with welcoming rooms, a restaurant serving delicious local cuisine and venues for weddings and conferences. bedford-hotel.co.uk
Harrabeer Country House, Dartmoor, England
Tucked away down a narrow lane in the village of Yelverton, Harrabeer Country House offers comfortable, friendly accommodation in the western moor. Five welcoming bedrooms are accompanied by a guest sitting room and a sock, fire-warmed bar. harrabeer.co.uk
Prince Hall Hotel, Dartmoor, England
This charming country house hotel has eight en-suite bedrooms, each with individual style and character and all offering sweeping views over the moors or the historic courtyard. Other highlights are the award winning restaurant and the guided walks. princehall.co.uk
Bovey Castle, Dartmoor, England
One of Dartmoor's grandest and most luxurious hotels, Bovey Castle is set amid wonderfully landscaped grounds with croquet lawns, tennis courts, two restaurants and its own 18-hole golf course. boveycastle.com
Two Bridges Hotel, Dartmoor, England
Settling into 60 acres of verdant riverside lawns alongside the West Dart, this luxurious hotel lies in the heart of the moors. With 32 elegant en-suite bedrooms, the hotel is a warm, welcoming base for exploring the moor. twobridges.co.uk
Old Sowtontown, Dartmoor, England
Two delightfully converted farm buildings offer comfortable, characterful accommodation with exposed stone walls and wood beams. Situated just outside Peter Tavy, close to the wild, empty expanses of the western moor, wonderful for lonely walks. dartmoorholidays.co.uk
Blackadon Barn Holiday Cottages, Dartmoor, England
Blackadon Farm is a fine example of a South Devon farm, its courtyard constructed of Dartmoor granite and surrounded by four acres of grounds. All of the six converted self-catering cottages offer comfortable family-friendly accommodation. cottagesatblackadonfarm.co.uk
Swallow Barn, Dartmoor, England
A granite barn converted in simple but elegant style, this charming cottage on the outskirts of Lydford sleeps five in three bedrooms. Boasts superb views, beautiful gardens and comfortable, stylish accommodation. swallowbarndartmoor.co.uk
Langstone Manor Holiday Park, Dartmoor, England
Nestling in the park’s western fringes, Langstone Manor provides the full gamut of self-catering accommodation, from tent and van pitches through wooden glamping pods to fixed holiday homes, an apartment and a pair of cottages. langstonemanor.co.uk
Sparrowhawk Backpackers Hostel, Dartmoor, England
One of the country’s friendliest, cosiest hostels is set in a beautifully converted stone stable, its hay loft providing space for the dorm beds. Run with the environment firmly in mind the hostel has a well-equipped kitchen and sheltered courtyard. sparrowhawkbackpackers.co.uk
Woodland Springs Touring Park, Dartmoor, England
A peaceful site in the northern quarter of the moor, Woodland Springs provides pitches for caravans and tents in a child-free environment. Surrounded by farm and woodland, the park is carefully managed to encourage wildlife. woodlandsprings.co.uk
River Dart Country Park, Dartmoor, England
A natural adventure playground for children and adults alike, River Dart Country Park is surrounded by over 90 acres of woods, lakes, riverside and grassland. Offers high quality camping and caravan facilities, as well as B&B in the main house. riverdart.co.uk
Woodovis Park, Dartmoor, England
Set in a lovely spot among rolling green hills above the Tamar Valley, Woodovis is a small site offering high-end camping and self-catering accommodation. Warm and friendly, the site has won many awards for its facilities and services. woodovis.com
YHA Okehampton, Dartmoor, England
This handy hostel has two sites – the original Goods Shed, next to Okehampton Railway Station, and Bracken Tor. Both sites offer a range of bunk rooms, some with private bathrooms, plus drying rooms, catering and dinning facilities and camping areas. yha.org.uk
Devon Dens, Devon, England
A unique, solid cabin made by the owners from sustainable, local wood in a pretty & private off-grid site, amidst glorious countryside. Walks, wood burner, jigsaws, guitar, books, fire pit, hot outdoor shower, peace, quiet & starry skies. Bliss. barreltopwagons.co.uk
For information on local food and drink, nearby visitor attractions and activities, see our
