Trains to Dartmoor
Choose date & time
Close ✕You can book up to 90 days in advance.
Looking for dates further in the future?
Train operators can only release tickets for sale up to 90 days in advance.
But don't worry, you don't have to miss out - be the first to hear when tickets are available with our FREE ticket alert.
Email me when tickets become available
Your journey
Going departing after
Dartmoor has a long and complex history; both as a natural habitat for wildlife and as a home for ancient people. It has been a site of human life for over 10,000 years and is now an unparalleled destination for exploring English heritage and natural beauty. With easy routes to arrive in Dartmoor and plenty to occupy you on your trip, explore Devon’s national park.
Getting to Dartmoor
Conveniently, Dartmoor sits between several CrossCountry train stations; Exeter St. Davids, Newton Abbott, and Plymouth. Between these stations, you can reach Dartmoor directly from all across the UK with ease.
- Exeter: Situated only 8 miles from Dartmoor National Park, Exeter St. Davids couldn’t be more convenient for your Devon getaway. This train station services CrossCountry routes from across the nation, including Newcastle, Bristol, Birmingham, Penzance, York, and even Edinburgh. Wherever you’re coming from, you can find a direct route to Exeter St. Davids
- Newton Abbott: Ideal for more local visitors, or for getting directly to the Southern edge of the National Park, Newton Abbott is less than 6 miles away from Dartmoor. That puts you straight into the heart of Dartmoor before you even realise you’ve stepped off the train
- Plymouth: On the southwest edge of Dartmoor National Park, you’ll find Plymouth train station. Servicing both local and national routes, and being only 7 miles from Dartmoor, Plymouth is another great travel option
About Dartmoor
The vast landscape is a reserve for a huge variety of plants, animals, and insects. The naturally rocky environment provides a unique experience when it comes to viewing and understanding nature. With environments like haymeadows, woodlands, and wetlands, and a huge diversity of rare and protected species, Dartmoor is a very special site of natural pilgrimage.
The human story of Dartmoor is slightly more recent – but not by much! People have been using the moor as a site of domesticity, labour, farming, and much more for at least 10,000 years. The first inhabitants of the moor settled here to live, farm, and take advantage of resources like tin, iron, silver, and granite. The impact of human history on the landscape has created a unique environment which is now protected as a national park, ensuring that generations to come can explore and learn.
Things to Do in Dartmoor
Dartmoor is the largest and highest upland in Southern Britain, which makes it an environment like no other. Such an expansive site with unparalleled environmental qualities offers the opportunity to explore nature and wildlife that you won’t find elsewhere. The National Park boasts reservoirs, woodlands, mires, and moorlands – each of which is home to it’s own wildlife.
If you’re a keen birdwatcher, Dartmoor is home to rare and protected birds that have declined elsewhere in the UK like the skylark and snipe. Make sure to pack your binoculars and tread quietly to spot the most stunning array of birdlife.
Getting out into nature is one of the key reasons so many people visit Dartmoor each year, so they have made sure that the routes are open to as many people as possible. Thanks to Miles Without Stiles paths, various accessibility needs are met, and the National Park can be enjoyed by a wider breadth of visitors. If the whole family is coming for a day out, why not bring the dog as well? With such a beautiful and interesting landscape to navigate, there is plenty to keep your pup active and intrigued whilst walking through the moor. Guided walks are also on offer if you’re eager to learn more about the environment as you explore.
Of course, there’s more to the moor than just walking. There are cycling routes to try, plenty of cycle rental outlets to make your day a little bit easier; as well as horse riding, canoeing, and climbing. Make the most of the outdoors in the Dartmoor National Park. If one day simply isn’t enough, you can even wild camp on some parts of the moor. Be sure to check the exact areas where wild camping is permitted and remember to travel light (certainly no campervans allowed!) if you do.
