5 of the best picnic spots on Dartmoor

What better place to enjoy a picnic than on Dartmoor, with its stunning open spaces, beautiful rivers and reservoirs and excellent views sometimes reaching from moorland to the sea. With holiday season fast approaching Devon Heaven Hampers have written this guest blog listing 5 of the best picnic spots on the moors.

Devon Heaven Hampers is a local food hamper company providing picnic hampers containing food & drink sourced from Devon, which includes Devonshire cream tea hampers sent by post. They’re based locally in Chudleigh just to the east of Dartmoor and owners Sam and Becky regularly spend time walking and picnicking on the moors so know each picnic spot well.

Haytor, East Dartmoor

Parking at the top and bottom of the tor - postcode TQ13 9XT

With relatively easy access from Exeter and Torquay, Haytor is probably Dartmoor’s most popular tor. With lots of rocks for seating and short grass, along with superb views of the South Devon coastline, it’s a lovely place to enjoy a picnic. Those with more energy can climb the tor or hike to nearby Hound Tor and back.

Spitchwick, River Dart, South East Dartmoor

Parking at Newbridge or alongside the narrow lane that runs past Spitchwick common – nearest postcode - TQ13 7NT

Copyright: Majarie Pope

On the banks of the beautiful River Dart, Spitchwick is a nice spot with lots of short grass perfect for picnics and barbeques. It’s great for families wanting to combine a picnic or BBQ with playing in the cold water of the River Dart. A footpath runs next to the river, so a picnic can be combined with a pleasant afternoon walk.

Postbridge, Central Dartmoor Pay and Display in the National Park Visitors car park or over the road in Bellever Woods – postcode - PL20 6SY

Postbridge has lots of short grass surrounded by woodland on the bank of the East River Dart perfect for picnics. Its best known for its ancient clapper bridge over the river, believed to have been built in the 13th century to enable pack horses to cross the river. The location is a great choice for walkers, who are spoil for choice with walks through Bellever Woods, along the river or up to Bellever Tor which has superb views over the moor. It’s also good for families as kids enjoy using the rocks dotted along the river as stepping stones.

Cadover Bridge, National Trust, South West Dartmoor Parking – postcode - PL7 5HA

Tranquil moorland by the River Plym with pools. Starting point for walks across open moors and tors, or ancient woodland

Hennock Reservoirs, North East Dartmoor

There’s lots of spaces in a pay and display car park to the south of Trenchford Reservoir - nearest postcode - TQ13 9NX

Consisting of three reservoirs all joined by small stream Hennock Reservoirs are as peaceful place as you can imagine. Next to the car park at the bottom of Trenchford Reservoir there are plenty of picnic benches overlooking the reservoir. Alternately, there are plenty of secluded spots with rocks for seating along the shoreline of the reservoirs. For walkers, a bumpy path tracks the outline of all three reservoirs with tracks also leading off into nearby fields and woods.