A Scenic Dartmoor Road Trip – Starting and Ending at Moorland View Cottage, North Bovey
This beautiful circular Dartmoor drive brings together ancient sites, quiet villages, gentle walks and wide-open moorland views – all comfortably explored from Moorland View, in North Bovey. Designed to feel unrushed and intuitive, it’s an ideal introduction to Dartmoor for first-time visitors, and a reminder for returning ones of just how much variety the moor holds in a single day. This page forms part of our comprehensive Dartmoor guide, which explores the landscape, history and practicalities of visiting Dartmoor.
This circular scenic drive is just one of many carefully curated Dartmoor experiences we quietly share with guests staying at Moorland View. Alongside routes like this, guests also receive:
Scenic routes most visitors miss
Seasonal food, pub and café recommendations
Walks matched to weather and energy levels
At a Glance
Starting point: North Bovey (from Moorland View)
Typical duration: Half day to full day (entirely flexible)
Best for: Scenic driving, gentle walks, photography, first-time Dartmoor visitors
1. Moorland View – the Perfect Starting Point
Set in the heart of Dartmoor National Park, North Bovey is one of the moor’s prettiest and most unspoilt villages – and home to Moorland View Cottage. With no streetlights and barely any through traffic, it’s a calm, restorative place to begin and end each day.
Enjoy a slow farmhouse breakfast back at the cottage, then set off knowing that every stop on today’s route sits comfortably within reach.
2. Explore a Bronze Age village at Grimspound
Your first stop is Grimspound, one of Dartmoor’s most atmospheric ancient sites. Dating from around 1300 BC, this stone-walled settlement contains 24 Bronze Age hut circles enclosed by a granite perimeter wall.
Its haunting setting famously inspired Conan Doyle and features in The Hound of the Baskervilles. Free to visit and open year-round, it’s a powerful introduction to Dartmoor’s deep history.
Grimspound
Wistman’s Wood
2. Walk through an ancient oak forest at Wistman's Wood
Continue towards Two Bridges to visit Wistman’s Wood – a rare remnant of Dartmoor’s original oak forest. Twisted, moss-covered oaks rise from a boulder-strewn floor, creating a scene that feels almost mythical.
The gentle one-hour return walk is achievable for most visitors. Afterwards, pause for lunch or a cream tea nearby before continuing the loop.
3. Discover Dartmoor’s dramatic past at Princetown
At the centre of the moor lies Princetown, home to Dartmoor Prison Museum. The museum offers a fascinating – if sobering – insight into the prison’s history and its role in Dartmoor life.
Even without visiting the museum, Princetown itself is worth a short wander for its stark setting and wide-open moorland views.
4. Stretch your legs where the rivers meet at Dartmeet
One of Dartmoor’s most scenic stopping points, Dartmeet is where the East and West Dart rivers meet beneath an 18th-century stone bridge. In warmer months, the shallow waters invite paddling; year-round, it’s an excellent place to pause and take in the landscape.
5. Wander one of Dartmoor’s prettiest villages: Buckland-in-the-Moor
This tiny hamlet is irresistibly charming. Wander among thatched cottages, step inside the ancient church, then walk above the village to see the Ten Commandments carved directly into exposed rock.
Dartmeet
Widecombe in the Moor
6. Browse independent shops and delis in Ashburton
Often described as the gateway to the moor, Ashburton is an elegant town with slate-hung streets lined with antique shops, delis, cafés and excellent places to eat.
It’s also the most convenient fuel stop on this route before heading back onto open moorland.
Ashburton
7. Visit the iconic village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor
One of Dartmoor’s most beautiful villages, Widecombe-in-the-Moor is a highlight of the drive. Its church, St Pancras, is crowned by a towering spire often called the Cathedral of the Moor.
Pause for lunch at the Rugglestone Inn, with open fires and flagstone floors, or browse the National Trust shop in the square for locally made woollens and homewares.
8. Walk to wide-open views at Hound Tor
Before heading home, stop at Hound Tor, one of Dartmoor’s most accessible viewpoints. A short walk leads to sweeping moorland views, with the remains of a medieval settlement lying just below the tor.
9. Return to Moorland View Cottage
As the light softens over the hills, return to Moorland View Cottage. Light the fire, sink into a deep bath, or wander down to the Ring of Bells for supper and a drink.
This is the pleasure of staying somewhere perfectly placed: no long drives at the end of the day, just the satisfaction of having explored Dartmoor at its best – and coming home to somewhere quietly special.
Turn this drive into a full day out
Because scenic drives work best when paired with stops.
→ Best Dartmoor pubs for lunch or an early supper
→. Dartmoor’s finest cream teas and cafés
→ For ideas on how to experience Dartmoor, explore our Dartmoor experiences.
DARTMOOR ROAD TRIP Q&As
-
Starting in North Bovey means you’re immediately on some of Dartmoor’s quietest, most beautiful roads. There’s no need to cross busy sections of the moor first, and you avoid doubling back later in the day.
Guests staying at Moorland View benefit from a natural circular route, shorter driving distances and the flexibility to dip in and out of stops depending on the weather. It’s an ideal “slow travel” Dartmoor experience — especially for a romantic break.
Many guests tell us this is their favourite day of their stay.
-
There is one main road that runs across the centre of Dartmoor, with cuntless narrow, country lanes leading off it.
Drive slowly and carefully. Sheep, ponies and cattle often wander onto Dartmoor roads, and many are injured or killed each year by speeding vehicles.
On narrow lanes, the driver closest to a passing place usually reverses. If you’re not confident, it’s fine to wait — and always offer a friendly wave of thanks.
Book your stay at Moorland View Cottage to experience Dartmoor like this: unhurried, beautifully circular, and centred on one exceptional place to come home to.
-
Petrol stations are few and far between on the moor. The most reliable fuel stop on this route is in Ashburton.
-
One of the most reliable and relaxed lunch stops on this route is in Widecombe-in-the-Moor. The village has a small selection of welcoming cafés clustered around the green, making it easy to park nearby and enjoy an unhurried break.
Widecombe is especially good for light lunches, homemade cakes and coffee, and it’s a natural pause point before heading back across the moor. On quieter days, it’s a lovely spot to linger and soak up the village atmosphere before continuing the drive.
We share timing tips with Moorland View guests to help you arrive before the busiest periods.
-
Late spring through early autumn offers the best balance of long daylight hours and road conditions. Clear winter days can be magical, but always check weather and visibility before heading out.
We provide seasonal advice to guests on arrival.
-
Grimspound is one of Dartmoor’s most atmospheric prehistoric settlements — a Bronze Age village set high on the open moor. Stone hut circles sit within a protective wall, with sweeping views across the landscape.
It’s a short, gentle walk from the parking area and an excellent early stop to stretch your legs. On quiet days, it feels wonderfully remote and timeless.
-
Wistman’s Wood is an ancient, moss-draped oak woodland that feels almost mythical. The walk is uneven and rocky but relatively short, making it accessible for most reasonably fit visitors wearing sturdy shoes.
Mist, low light and twisted trees make this one of Dartmoor’s most photographed places — especially atmospheric in cooler months.
