This wonderfully varied landscape in Devon changes from rolling moorland and granite tors contrasting with ancient woodland and you’ll be pleased to hear there’s a great variety of holiday cottages in Dartmoor. The National Park covers over 350 square miles of wild open countryside making it the largest national park in the south of England.

This is a perfect venue for active outdoor breaks and has over 450 miles of public rights of way, great walking routes and cycle tracks, off road mountain biking trails, rock climbing, bridleways and kayaking. Walking is a good way to get to know the area, try Fingle Gorge to Castle Drogo, the last castle to be built in England, following the River Teign and features ancient stone bridges and cosy traditional pubs. For a shorter walk of around half a mile, travel to Hound Tor car park and climb the half a mile up the gentle slope to one of the greatest views across the moors. This location is also rumoured to be the inspiration for Conan Doyle's Hound of the Baskervilles.

Cottages rentals in Dartmoor are scattered everywhere and by using our extensive feature list you can easily find your perfect one. You may be taking young children or a dog and want an enclosed garden, be in the national park but within 5 miles of the coast, have a private hot tub or choose one of our luxury collection, the choice really is yours.

The town of Ashburton is often known as the gateway to the moor and it makes a good starting point for exploring the area. It was originally a stannary town, a place where tin had to be brought in order to be taxed, and its prosperous history is evident in its fine slate-fronted buildings. These days it offers a great range of cafes, delis and antique shops. Something else you might spot on your travels round the countryside are the Bronze Age settlements such as the one at Grimspound where the remains of 24 huts, dating from around 1300 BC, are contained within a perimeter wall.

For something different, why not visit Dartmoor Prison Museum in Princetown; it features a scary range of weapons made by prisoners, and some items they made in order to try to escape! You can see a range of curiosities, from knotted sheets to a razor on a toothbrush. If you feel like a gentler attraction, why not visit the picture-perfect village of Lustleigh, it boasts classic thatched cottages, cute tea rooms, a 13th-century church and even a communal apple orchard.