Is Dartmoor National Park open for business?

July 5, 2020

What’s open on Dartmoor?

Visitors are returning to Dartmoor National Park; the car parks and Dartmoor Visitor Centres are open again and the walks and scenery are just as stunning as ever!

We went for an amazing circular walk at the weekend from Bennett’s Cross up to Birch Tor with its panoramic moorland views and the prehistoric Grimspound in the background, then down to the remains of the Vetifer tin mine, before a bit of a climb heading back up to the car. We were rewarded with ice creams from the Willy’s of Tavistock ice cream van waiting in the carpark!

Following a thorough deep clean, The Old Dairy Dunsford is open for business again too! Our unique riverside barn conversion is ready and waiting, whether you are looking for a weekend break away from Covid19 restrictions or a longer stay to replace your usual Mediterranean or long-haul summer holiday. As The Old Dairy is detached from the main house, there is no problem with social distancing, we can even arrange a welcoming socially distanced G&T in the garden! Sitting in the garden or looking out at the River Teign, with a cuppa or a glass of something in hand, it can be easy to forget what is going on in the world around us!

Five miles away, the pretty little town of Moretonhampstead, the ‘gateway to the moors’, now has most of its shops, coffee shops and bars open with social distancing rules in place. Eight miles in the other direction, shops and eateries are opening up again in Exeter. The village shop in Dunsford has been open throughout the pandemic, though with limited hours, serving the needs of the local community. Local pubs are beginning to reopen too, serving takeaways or drinks and food, though it is probably best to book ahead.

National Trust gardens are open and local properties are just beginning to open their doors again, though advance tickets should be booked. Some of our favourite local National Trust properties are Knightshayes, Killerton, Castle Drogo, Coleton Fishacre and Buckland Abbey.

You can be sure that a warm welcome awaits you at The Old Dairy. Please go to olddairydunsford.co.uk for booking details and availability.