A wild and windswept plain of heather-tufted moor, wooded valleys and gushing rivers, Dartmoor National Park conjures up fairy-tale images of majestic knights, fair maidens and cloaked riders in the distance. A truly atmospheric place full of romantic vision and jaw-dropping scenes, it encompasses 954 square kilometres and is drenched in intrigue, mystery and folklore. 

Make yourself at home amongst the rare birds, wild ponies, majestic tors and Neolithic monuments and bury away in a luxury cottage in Dartmoor. The walks and cycle trails available really show off the magnificence of the area (as well as connecting traditional brew houses) and are a real draw throughout the year.

Whether you are hoping for a little artistic impression, looking forward to a lots of dog-friendly walks with your dog or simply can’t wait to spend quality time with your loved ones surrounded by quality home comforts, we will have a five-star retreat just perfect for you.

For feel-good, restorative food, head to the Home Farm Café in Bovey Tracey. Created by Ashburton Cookery School founder, Stella West-Harling, the team use locally-sourced ingredients and traditional cooking techniques for their menus as well as serving famous cakes and cream teas! Dean Wood saddle of venison, Ruby Red Devon beef & Teignworthy ale pie and pan roasted catch of the day feature on the evening menu, and changing daily specials mean you’re in no shortage of  dishes to savour with a glass of Shiraz.

For fine dining delights, Gidleigh Park is a must: this award-winning restaurant was run for 21 years by Michael Caines MBE, a chef best known for having two Michelin stars to his name. Gidleigh truly has earned an enviable reputation in the UK and was featured by Harden’s Sunday Times Food List 2014. Finally, you haven’t “done Dartmoor” until you’ve visited a cosy thatched pub, like the Royal Oak in Yelverton: with tasty meals, local ingredients and local brews, this is the kind of place to kick back after a long day hiking before returning to your luxury self-catering Dartmoor cottage.

The Royal Oak Inn in Meavy is a fantastic place to put your feet up after a day’s exploring; its brew house origins are estimated to be as early as 1102 and pews from the adjacent church sit on a flagstone floor looking up at traditional beamed ceilings.  Situated within the National Park itself and containing a worthy mention in the Good Pub Guide, the Royal Oak should already be an acorn in your mind and an oak on your itinerary.

At the West of Dartmoor is the Peter Tavy Inn - another heritage-soaked establishment – they have been serving locals and visitors since the 15th century and pride themselves on their selection of hand-pulled ales available in their dog-friendly bar. For those not inclined to pick up a pint, there are around 50 wines available by the bottle and over 20 single malt whiskeys for those wanting something a little more refined.

Get in touch with your primal side at award-winning Go Ape, the UK’s No.1 forest adventure company. Specialising in treetop experiences, you and your family can witness Dartmoor from the unique perspective of the Haldon Forest canopy on 235-metre zip slides.

For a thought-provoking interlude between taphouses, spend a few hours of your retreat at Dartmoor Prison Museum. Over 200 years of fascinating articles and artefacts offer an absorbing insight into prison life from the Napoleonic era up to present day. Visit the gift shop for a unique present as a reminder of your time spent in Dartmoor luxury cottages.

You can certainly expect to see wildlife in Dartmoor, and plenty of it! As the Eden Channel’s ‘Top Wildlife Attraction of 2011’ and concept of Hollywood film We Bought A Zoo, Dartmoor Zoological Park has big cats, exotic birds, reptiles and mammals in an all-star cast against the unlikely backdrop of the moors – with special arrangement you can even be a zookeeper for a day!