Living on the edge of Dartmoor (or 'the moors' as it is more commonly known locally), I feel that I am slightly biased on what I write about. But I will do it anyway, so who cares!
Dartmoor is a place that has got National Park status, meaning that it is a protected area. Covering the central part of the county of Devon, it covers an area of 935 square kilometres (approx 368 square metres).
It is quite a well known tourist attraction, known for its views; towns and/ or villiages, and other attractions.
21 rivers start on the moors (although 2 combine downstream to become 1), and they are as follows:
Ashburn; Avon; Bovey; East Dart; East Okement; East Webburn; Erme; Lemon; Lyd; Meavy; Obrook; Plym; Swincombe; Tavy, Taw; Teign; Walkham; West Dart (which joinswith the East Dart to become the Dart - hence my previous comment); West Okement; West Webburn, and the Yealm. Although some of these are tributaries, the remainder all run to the English Channel.
Alongside the 'viewing' side of things, there are also a number of smaller towns and/ or villages. The villages consist of your usual pub; corner shop, and so on. Villages include Widecombe; Postbridge, and possibly even Princetown (HMP Dartmooris also based here).
Towns are of a larger size,with more a shopping centre. They also include more well known stores (Boots/ Superdrug; Smiths, and so on). These are Tavistock; Okehampton; Ashburton.
Alongside these things (and despite them being more adult-orientated), there are also a number of things to do for the children. Wide open spaces for mountain biking/ letting off steam, also letterboxing.
Letterboxing took off in the 1850s, with only a handful of sites (perhhaps a dozen at the most). This continued until the 1970s, however there are now thousands of sites. Most of these can be accessed online,search the web further info.
Letterboxing consists of going to a set site; finding a letter and/ or postcard there, and posting it to the address as found. Prior to leaving, you are to leave the same thing in its place.
Ten Tors is also another 'local event', whereby thousands of school aged children spend a weekend visiting Ten Tors. There are 3 routes - 35 miles; 45 miles, and 55 miles all dependant on the age of children. Starting on the Saturday morning, they camp out overnight to finish by the Sunday afternoon - usually with students lost and/ or hospitalised.
Night life is poor, as pubs usually posh and/ or family friendly. In order to get anything decent, then visit either Plymouth or Exeter. The same goes for staying here, as towns will only have small 'hotel' style places. Big chains will be in the cities, so aim for there and spread out.
You will also need your own transport, as buses are about as popular as meat at a vege only party...
In order to find out more info, vists www.thisisplymouth/ thisisdevon.co.uk
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