Dartmoor

Dartmoor is an upland area in southern Devon, South West England. The moorland and surrounding land has been protected by National Park status since 1951. Dartmoor National Park covers 954 km2 (368 sq mi).

For other uses, see Dartmoor (disambiguation).

Dartmoor National Park
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
View down the River Meavy towards Leather Tor and Sharpitor
LocationUnited Kingdom (South West England)
Coordinates50°34′N 4°0′W
Area954 km2 (368 sq mi)
Established1951
Visitors10.98m
Governing bodyDartmoor National Park Authority
Websitewww.dartmoor.gov.uk
UK National Parks
England
  • Peak District (1951)
  • Lake District (1951)
  • Dartmoor (1951)
  • North York Moors (1952)
  • Yorkshire Dales (1954)
  • Exmoor (1954)
  • Northumberland (1956)
  • The Broads‡ (1988)
  • New Forest (2005)
  • South Downs (2010)
  • South Pennines
    Regional Park†
Northern Ireland
  • Mourne Mountains†
Scotland
  • Loch Lomond and
    The Trossachs (2002)
  • Cairngorms (2003)
Wales
  • Snowdonia (Eryri; 1951)
  • Pembrokeshire Coast (1952)
  • Brecon Beacons
    (Bannau Brycheiniog; 1957)
  • North East Wales†
Parentheses denotes the year. An area with ‡ has similar status to a UK National Park. Areas marked † are proposed.

The granite which forms the uplands dates from the Carboniferous Period of geological history. The landscape consists of moorland capped with many exposed granite hilltops known as tors, providing habitats for wildlife. The highest point is High Willhays, 621 m (2,037 ft) above sea level. The entire area is rich in antiquities and archaeological artefacts.

Dartmoor National Park is managed by the Dartmoor National Park Authority, whose 22 members are drawn from Devon County Council, local district councils and Government.

Parts of Dartmoor have been used as military firing ranges for over 200 years. The public is granted extensive land access rights on Dartmoor (including restricted access to the firing ranges) and it is a popular tourist destination.

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