The Area

SEE & DO NEAR OUR LUXURY FARM HOLIDAY COTTAGES, DARTMOOR

About Dartmoor & The Area

Situated in the south west of England, right in the very heart of Devon, Dartmoor is a landscape of stunning views, awe inspiring granite tors, deep wooded valleys with fast flowing rivers and rugged, wide open spaces. But Dartmoor also has a very gentle side. Safe, quiet areas where you can picnic with the family, easy to follow trails for strolling, walking and cycling, many lovely open spaces where the children can run to their heart’s content and a huge number of child friendly and dog friendly places to eat and attractions to visit.

While Dartmoor and the beautiful area surrounding it is probably most famous for its ruggedly beautiful landscape, there’s a lot more to this most dramatic location than just its spectacular good looks. Visit Devon’s most famous moor and you’ll discover a world where wildlife, history and culture come together to create unforgettable Devon holidays.

The Greater Dartmoor area is not just about the landscape, the ponies or the dramatic granite tors. There’s plenty of heritage and history to discover, going all the way back to Neolithic times and throughout the ages. Dartmoor encourages you to get out and about, to explore and discover its secret places and hidden gems. This living, breathing, working landscape is as rich and as fascinating now as it was hundreds of years ago. From ancient woodland to tradition, folklore and farming on horseback, Dartmoor has it all.

Dartmoor & The Arts

Leading the way for the arts, all things organic, a haven for literary greats and explorers, you will be walking in some awesome footsteps. Dartmoor served as the inspiration for Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock Holmes tale The Hound of the Baskervilles and as the backdrop for the film War Horse. Dartmoor has the largest number of archaeological remains in Europe. So if it is stone circles, menhirs, stone crosses and ancient villages that get you excited, look no further.

Lower Elsford Farm & Dartmoor

Lower Elsford Farm is located within the 368 square miles of Dartmoor National Park and is listed in the Domesday Book. There has been a settlement here for hundreds of years, at least 600 years in fact. The farm nestles high on the valley side overlooking the famous Lustleigh Cleave. The thirty two acres contain a circular walk which passes through our own ancient stone row, and mini-tor called ‘Elsford Rocks’. Wildlife abounds, and the stunning 360 degree views across the National Park encompass Haytor, Hound Tor, and on a clear day even the coastline at Teignmouth.

The Farm has lots to offer for all ages and is perfect for discovering all that Dartmoor, and Devon, has to offer. Your cottage is only three miles (one mile by foot) north east of the pretty village of Lustleigh, with its quaint thatched cottages, 16th century thatched pub, village store and church. Bovey Tracey and Moretonhampstead are each five miles away providing all village facilities, including mini supermarkets. North Bovey and Chagford, both claiming to be Devon‘s prettiest village, are not far away, as is the famed Castle Drogo.

The Dartmoor National Park itself, centred on the famous prison at Princetown, is criss crossed by rivers and paths, providing opportunities for exploring, walking, letterboxing, pony trekking, cycling and Tor climbing. There are many reservoirs and small lakes, abundant wildlife, and of course the famous Dartmoor Ponies. There are plenty of opportunities for paddling or rock scrambling over the river Dart as it crashes its way across the moor.

The Cathedral City of Exeter is only 30 mins away and makes for an ideal shopping destination, whilst the Naval City of Plymouth with its naval history and heritage, is under an hour away. The beautiful estuary villages of Salcombe and Dartmouth, which are the prime Devon location for sailing and boating, are easily accessed via the interesting and unusual town of Totnes, where you can take a river boats for day trips, and is also served by the old steam railway. Superb beaches can be easily reached along the South Devon coast, from Exmouth via Dawlish, Torquay, Paignton,and Brixham, to the surfing beaches of Bantham and Bigbury Bay.