A Guide To Wild Camping on Dartmoor
If you’re looking for an adventure that is a bit different, will push outside your comfort zone and doesn’t break the bank then wild camping in Dartmoor National Park may well be for you. The only place you can legally wild camp in England, It’s a real back to basics job and the perfect place to reconnect with the outdoors by surrounding yourself in nature.
Dartmoor National Park is a vast expanse of moorland in the county of Devon, often touted as one of the last truly wild parts of Britain. With its ponies roaming free across craggy landscapes, ancient wooded valleys, intricate rivers and its remarkable Tors, Dartmoor really is a dramatic place.
Where Can I Camp On Dartmoor?
The simplicity and freedom of wild camping make it an adventure like no other. It is the antithesis of the office grind, a stripped back experience that forces you to focus on the here and now, giving you the headspace to appreciate the little things.
Wild camping on Dartmoor is only permitted in selected regions to protect the wildlife and landscapes, however the good news is there are lots of these areas.
Check out this map for more information.
We advise picking a spot that has a carpark relatively close so you don’t need to lug all your kit too far. It is also quite a good idea to find somewhere which is sheltered and out the wind, there are plenty of tors perfect for this and finally somewhere near a river or stream so you can wash.
Wild Camp Kit List:
Right, so you want to head to Dartmoor on a wild camping adventure, but what do you take?
In years gone by we used to camp with only the very basics, which 9 times out of 10 resulted in a bad night's sleep and subsequent arguments the next day. Eventually we learnt our lesson and upgraded everything just a little bit, transforming the experience into a far more enjoyable one. The good thing about this upgrade is that it really didn’t cost much. You could spend thousands of pounds on camping gear quite easily but the truth is you really don't need to.
Here’s what we took to Dartmoor on this trip:
3 Man Tent
When it comes to size obviously the bigger you go the more space you have, however the colder it will get in the night. Which if you’re camping in Dartmoor, or anywhere in the UK is something worth thinking about - especially if you get VERY cold, like Jess. We find than a 3 man is ideal, giving enough space for someone my height (6”2) and small enough to keep warm
We currently use this Vango from Cotswold Outdoor which is fine and a good entry level but we suggest going for something a bit more robust if you plan to camp quite a bit as the material around our door started to tear after a few trips.
Sleeping bags
We both have two sleeping bags, one for summer and one for winter. They are both lightweight and very comfortable. What we will say is that even in the middle of summer you may well get cold camping on Dartmoor!
We Use: Jack Wolfskin
Inflatable sleeping mats
These are absolutely key and really changed the game for us. So easy to inflate/deflate and mean you can actually get comfortable. Gone are the days of waking up with sore hips!
We use: the Mountain Equipment Helium 3.8 Warm Zone Sleeping Mat and they are pretty good.
Portable gas cooker
In our opinion one of the best parts of camping is cooking your dinner by the tent as the sun sets. It just completes the feeling of taking things back to basics and enjoying the simplicity of the experience. And when you wake up the next morning it’s hard to beat shaking off the sleep with a nice warm cup of tea.
These little gas cookers are cheap, compact and very efficient.
We use: The Primus Mimer Stove - which only allows you to cook meals for two at a time so that's worth bearing in mind, other than that it is very efficient.
Head torches
Finally we had a couple of these bad boys. They are new to our kit list and honestly I don’t know why they haven't been a regular fixture for years. So useful. From brushing your teeth to trying to find your water bottle, these little rippers have got your basic nocturnal needs locked.
Re-Wasty Bag
These are great little inventions. Essentially a portable reusable rubbish bag, the Re-Wasty allows you to pack up all your rubbish neatly and clip it to your backpack, meaning you leave no trace.
We Use: Jack Wolfskin Re Wasty
Backpack
Finally pretty obvious but you’re going to need a good sized, comfortable rucksack. We use to use poorly designed, unfit for purpose backpacks and they really aren’t great. The size and length of the adventure obviously dictates the type of pack you take, but try to make sure you can comfortably fit your kit inside.
We Use: Jack Wolfskin Crosstrail 24 LT & the Salkan Backpacker
The Rules Of Camping on Dartmoor:
In order to preserve the park and ensure as low impact as possible there are a handful of rules to wild camping on Dartmoor. The overarching mantra, as with all outdoor activities in the UK, is Leave No Trace. If everyone sticks to this then we will be able to wild camp here for generations to come.
No BBQ’s or open fires are permitted. If you want to cook use a portable gas camping stove (See Kit List)
No large group camping. Keep your expeditions to small numbers, this is to ensure no noise or landscape pollution.
Do not disturb the wildlife. Just try to keep your distance as you don’t know which animals or birds are in breeding season.
No motor homes or camper vans. If you are planning on wild camping then this obviously isn’t an issue but worth noting.
Take all rubbish with you and ensure the place where you camped is spotless.
What To Do On Dartmoor:
One of the main benefits of camping in Dartmoor National Park is the immediate access you then have to enjoy all of it’s outdoor adventure options. Below is a list of some of our favourite:
Discovering Wistman's Wood
This is a unique experience, Wistman’s Woods is a small but very dense forest in the middle of the park.
Low hanging trees covered in thick green moss entwine to form a ceiling of green, whilst rocks coated in lichens form a living carpet. Stepping into the woods it’s hard to believe you haven’t been transported into some sort of ancient fairytale.
The inspiration for countless paintings, poems and creative minds the woods are a world unto themselves and although small are easy to get lost in. A trip here will clear your mind of the hustle and bustle of city life, reminding you just how incredible nature can be.
To reach the woods park in the Two Bridges car park, Princetown and follow the signs to the woods. A 20 minute cross country hike from there, the woods are well worth a visit.
The ancient oak trees of Wistman’s Woods
Explore The Ancient Tors
The Dartmoor National Park is comprised of mile upon mile of vast and open, scrub covered moorland, interrupted almost exclusively by it’s signature Tors. These large, seemingly illogical towers of rock are actually a product of years of weathering that has eroded the stone into carefully balanced shapes.
Exploring between the Tors feels almost as if you are discovering a prehistoric world, with the natural statues of all shapes and sizes scattered across the landscape creating a bizarre sight.
The park is home to over 160 Tors so you’re spoilt for choice!
Meet the Wild Ponies
The National Park is home to around 1500 Dartmoor Ponies that roam free across the moors. These hardy animals survive year round eating the wild grasses and in the winter huddling together.
You will not find it hard to find them as they are scattered throughout the park and in the spring months you may well get lucky and catch a glimpse of the newborn foals as they play together across the moors.
Note: it’s important not to get too close to the ponies, after all it’s their home, so give them space.
Wild Swim In a Dartmoor River
Dartmoor is home to an intricate and beautiful network of rivers, providing plenty of opportunities for an invigorating wild swim. From the pools at Poundsgate to the natural water slides near Oakham, Dartmoor certainly provides for those looking for the revitalising benefits of a swim in nature. Whether it be to cool down in the summer months or push yourself(!) in the winter, a trip to Dartmoor isn’t truly complete without a dip.
Best Places To Eat On Dartmoor
Ok so you’ve camped for a couple of nights and eaten basic foods cooked over a fire. Now you feel like you’ve earnt a bit of a food based treat, but what are your options?
Riverford Field Kitchen
If you are after fresh food then Riverford is the place for you. Their Field Kitchen serves seasonal, organic food with vegetables and herbs picked daily from their farm and Field Kitchen garden just metres from the restaurant.
This multi-award winning kitchen prides itself on providing guests with an experience to remember. With no starters or mains, the organic, vegetable focused dishes instead arrive at your table in one long flow of deliciousness to share with your family and friends.
Northmore Arms
Now this is a proper pub! Hidden away along the high hedgerow lanes of Dartmoor, a polite sign on the door of the Northmore Arms states ‘No mobile phones’, setting the tone for what is a truly traditional watering hole. Small with low ceilings, a large fireplace and decades of local memorabilia decorating the walls, it is everything you want in a countryside pub.
Note: If it’s food you’re after be sure to book as this really is a snug pub!
In Conclusion:
Dartmoor National Park is a special place. Not only is it a vast wilderness filled with rivers, ancient forests and wild horses, it is also one of the only places in the UK where you are allowed to wild camp, making it absolutely prime for adventure.
Whilst we cannot guarantee that a night spent wild camping here will be a luxurious experience, we can assure you that it will make you feel alive. Waking up surrounded by nature, washing in a river and boiling up a tea on your stove is a start to the day you simply are not able to enjoy all that often. It is a privilege and a free one at that.