Motorhome Travel: Dartmoor
60bca1ec-cb80-4296-8116-fded4b7e086b
Dartmoor isn’t all about moors and tors, but it offers a great destination
At the heart of Devon is the Dartmoor National Park, with its characteristic moorland and distinctive granite tors. These moors are wild, rugged places supporting a wide range of wildlife in some of the most beautiful environments in Britain. Around its fringes are a greater range of habitats.
We started our visit near Tavistock and a local nature reserve called Lopwell Dam. Some of the reserve’s highlights include otter, kingfisher and roe deer, all possible throughout the year. In summer there are many butterflies, including the silver-washed fritillary. Spring flowers include dog’s mercury, lesser celandine, dog violet, primrose, wood sorrel and wood anemone. In July, twayblade is a special flower found here.
Near Lopwell is the National Trust property of Buckland Abbey. Once a Cistercian monastery, it was transformed into a family home in the 1570s by Sir Richard Grenville, who passed it on to his cousin, Sir Francis Drake. Following woodland trails around the estate, we heard chiffchaffs, blackcaps and song thrushes.
The wet weather set in but I had an idea up my sleeve; rain at Lydford Gorge makes the river more dramatic and the low contrast light of a dull day is better for photography in a deep valley. The walk around the gorge is about three miles. The Devil’s Cauldron is a wonderful example of the shapes created when a river cuts through rock. The beautifully carved, spherical whirlpools are a feature of this dramatic gorge and viewing platforms allow for close inspection.
Since the skies were opening sufficiently to let some sun through, late in the afternoon I persuaded Sarah to let me drive to Brent Tor for an evening of landscape photography. I was greeted by a male kestrel hovering over the tor, but this visit was all about capturing the light on this amazing tor-top chapel. The view of Dartmoor from here is exceptional.
Our last full day was spent visiting a few popular haunts including Haytor and Bovey Tracey. Between the two is Yarner Wood National Nature Reserve. This is probably the best place in the southwest to see pied flycatchers during summer. But our highlight was a lesser spotted woodpecker.
Not far to the west of Okehampton, and on our way home to Cornwall, there is a great place for budding wildlife photographers. The Westcountry Wildlife Photography Centre is managed by Derek Gow. Derek breeds water voles for reintroduction and keeps a wide range of native British mammals and some other species at his farm. He’s created walk-in enclosures where you can photograph many animals such as the otter, wildcat, fox and muntjac deer at close quarters. Although this isn’t ‘wild’ life photography, it does provide photographers with a fairly unique opportunity to get fantastic photos of some quite difficult to see species of mammal.
This is an extract from a longer article in August 2014 MMM magazine. To order your copy, click here
More useful Motorhome pages:
Motorhomes for Sale | Motorhome Reviews | Sell Your Motorhome | Motorhome Advice | Motorhome Buyers' Guide
Motorhome News | Motorhome Articles | Motorhome Forums
Campsite Finder
MMM (Motorcaravan Motorhome Monthly) Magazine | Which Motorhome Magazine | Motorhome Shows
Recent Updates
A class of their own - our guide to A-class motorhomes
Thinking of trading up to an A-class, or even going straight to the top of the motorhome tree? We guide you along the way in this guide to A-class ...
Explore overseas on a motorhome dream tour
Enjoy exotic travel in a campervan or motorhome by hiring, swapping with someone else or exporting your ...
Motorhome water systems: everything you need to know
On-board water is an important part of every motorhome – here’s everything you need to know ...
Campervanning in Europe: what you need to know
Whether you're planning a leisurely drive through the French countryside, navigating bustling city streets in ...
Campervan security: all you need to know
With thefts on the increase, it’s important to know how to keep your campervan secure and prevent campervan ...
Campervan furniture: everything you need to know
Our campervan experts guide you through all the essentials for your campervan, including tables, chairs, ...
Campervan finance: how to fund your purchase
Here we look at the different types of campervan finance available, to help you decide what’s the best option ...
Britain’s best used motorhomes
Want a great motorhome without paying the premium for a new one? Here's a guide to the best you can get in ...
Which motorhome? Choosing the perfect motorhome for you
Choosing a motorhome or campervan is one of the biggest buying decisions you’ll ever make, so it's important ...
Dogs in campervans: all you need to know
Follow our advice and your dog will enjoy campervanning as much as you do ...
Other Articles
Campervan washroom essentials: stay fresh on the road
Our guide will take you through the campervan washroom essentials you'll need so you're well-prepared for your next adventure ...
Electric campervans: all you need to know
Our guide will take you through everything you need to know about electric campervans and what the future ...
Motorhome electrics: a complete guide to your motorhome electrical set-up
Motorhome electrics can dramatically enhance the convenience and comfort of your vehicle – but they can be ...
Lighting for campervans: all you need to know
We guide you through all the lighting options available for you and your campervan, including interior ...
Electric bikes for motorhomes: our ultimate guide
Read our comprehensive guide to electric bikes for motorhome owners, helping you add electric power to your ...
Our guide to 'cheap' motorhomes in 2024
If you're on the hunt for an affordable new motorhome, this is the best place to start – we've rounded up a ...
Campervans in winter: all you need to know
Here's your guide to preparing your campervan for the colder months, whether you will be using it or putting ...
Six alternative campervans to the VW California
Looking for a different option to Volkswagen’s famous Cali? Here are some of the best other campervans out ...
Campervan cooking and kitchenware guide
Top tips for dining like a king in your campervan. This includes the most useful pots and pans, mugs and ...
Buying a campervan: all you need to know
A campervan, with its promise of endless adventures and a nomadic lifestyle, is a dream many enthusiasts ...