Where to Stay on Dartmoor
Quick Answer
Best for first-time visitors: Princetown or Widecombe-in-the-Moor Best for scenery: North Dartmoor, including Okehampton and Belstone Best for pubs and atmosphere: Tavistock or Chagford Best for quiet stays: The southern and western moor edges Best overall tip: Choose your base by the kind of Dartmoor experience you want, not just by the hotel.
The best areas to base yourself on Dartmoor, from wild moorland villages to comfortable market towns and quiet rural edges.
Dartmoor is not one single destination. Where you stay can completely change the feel of your trip. Some bases put you right on the open moor, close to tors, weather and big skies. Others give you easier access to pubs, shops, restaurants and gentler days out. This guide explains the best areas to stay on Dartmoor, so you can choose the base that suits your visit.
Choosing the Right Dartmoor Base
Dartmoor rewards visitors who choose their base carefully. Staying in the middle of the moor gives you atmosphere, open views and quick access to walking routes. Staying on the edges gives you more comfort, easier roads and better access to shops, food and nearby towns. Neither is wrong. The best choice depends on whether you want wildness, convenience, scenery, history or a bit of everything.
Visiting from Overseas
If you are visiting from the United States or further afield, Dartmoor is best explored by car. The roads are often narrow, distances can feel slower than they look on a map, and the weather can change quickly. For a first visit, it is usually wise to choose a base with food, parking and easy access to several routes rather than booking somewhere very remote.
How to Choose Where to Stay
Think about what you want from your trip. If your priority is walking straight out onto the moor, choose somewhere like Princetown. If you want comfort, food and facilities, a town such as Tavistock or Chagford will suit you better. If you prefer quiet and slower days, the southern edges of Dartmoor offer a more peaceful experience.
Princetown is one of the most atmospheric places to stay on Dartmoor. It sits high on the moor, surrounded by open land, big skies and classic walking country.
Widecombe is one of Dartmoor’s best-known villages, with a traditional village feel, nearby tors and easy access to some of the moor’s most recognisable scenery.
Tavistock sits on the western edge of Dartmoor and works well if you want the moor nearby but also want shops, food, markets and town facilities.
Chagford is lively, characterful and well placed for the north-eastern side of Dartmoor. It has a strong village feel, independent shops and good access to both valleys and open moor.
North Dartmoor feels open, spacious and dramatic. Okehampton gives you practical access, while Belstone offers a quieter village base close to open moorland.
The southern edges of Dartmoor are often softer and quieter, with wooded valleys, rivers, small villages and easy access to less crowded corners of the moor.