Dartmoor Camping

Why Wonton Park Camping is the Perfect Base for Exploring Dartmoor

Dartmoor ponies

One of the things we love most about living here at Wonton Park Camping is just how

close we are to Dartmoor. Within a short drive, you can be out walking across open moorland, climbing tors, following rivers or exploring some of the most beautiful scenery in Devon.

Wonton Park Camping

For many people searching for Dartmoor camping or Dartmoor campsites, it is that feeling of freedom and space that draws them here in the first place. Dartmoor really is a special place, and whether you are an experienced hiker or just enjoy a good countryside walk, there is something about the moor that keeps people coming back year after year.

A lot of visitors ask us about wild camping on Dartmoor too. Dartmoor is one of the only places in England where certain forms of backpack wild camping are allowed in designated areas. The idea is that walkers carrying lightweight camping gear can stay overnight on the open moor as long as they camp responsibly, leave no trace and move on after a night or two.

Done properly, it can be a brilliant experience. But anyone who has spent a night up on Dartmoor in heavy rain or strong wind will probably tell you the weather can change very quickly up there. Even in summer, the moor can become cold, wet and misty without much warning.

That is one reason many guests choose to stay with us at Wonton Park Camping instead. You still get easy access to southern and mid Dartmoor, but at the end of the day you can come back to hot showers, flushing loos, electric hook-up and a pitch with fantastic countryside views.

Being slightly lower down than the open moor also often means milder weather and calmer evenings, which can make all the difference after a long day outdoors.

As a small farm campsite, things are a little slower paced here too. Guests often spend the evening sat outside watching the sunset over the fields, listening to the owls or spotting buzzards overhead after a day exploring Dartmoor.

One of the best areas to explore nearby is southern Dartmoor around South Brent and Shipley Bridge. From Shipley Bridge car park, you can follow the River Avon up towards Avon Dam, with beautiful riverside paths, woodland and open moorland scenery along the way. It is a lovely walk for all ages and especially good if you want a gentler introduction to Dartmoor.

Bellever Tor

Haytor and Hound Tor are always popular too and probably what many people picture when they think of classic Dartmoor scenery. The granite tors and huge views are well worth the visit, and there are plenty of walking routes suitable for both casual walkers and more experienced hikers.

If you prefer quieter spots, Venford Reservoir and Bellever Forest are both beautiful areas to explore. Bellever is especially nice if the weather higher on the moor is not looking great, as the woodland gives a bit more shelter while still feeling wonderfully wild and peaceful.

For anyone visiting Dartmoor for the first time, the visitor centres are well worth stopping at before heading out. You will find them at Princetown, Postbridge and Haytor, and they are useful for maps, walking advice and checking local weather conditions.

What many of our guests enjoy most is having the best of both worlds. You can spend the day exploring Dartmoor’s open spaces and dramatic landscapes, then come back to a warm shower, proper facilities and a peaceful campsite rather than battling the weather on the open moor overnight.

That is really what we try to offer here at Wonton Park Camping — a relaxed base for exploring Dartmoor while still enjoying the comfort of a proper campsite and the quieter side of Devon farm life.