Steeped in ancient history, Dartmoor became one of Britain’s first National Parks in 1951 and is well known for the rugged beauty of its moorland, heathland, mire and oak woodlands.
The National Park itself covers an area of 368 square miles and ranges in altitude from near sea level to 621 metres above sea level at High Willhays. Dartmoor is mostly comprised of moorland and farmland but also holds many specialist habitats such as blanket bogs, rhos pastures and hay meadows which in turn support some very special fauna and flora.
Dartmoor is a national stronghold for many species including hazel dormice, greater horseshoe bat, marsh and high brown fritillary and narrow-bordered bee hawkmoth. Birdlife includes many nationally scarce species such as pied flycatcher, wood warbler, lesser spotted woodpecker, cuckoo, ring ouzel and winchat.
An iconic sight on Dartmoor is its grazing ponies, an ancient and hardy breed which has helped shape the moor’s landscape for over 4,000 years.
