Within the heart of Devon lies Dartmoor's 365 square miles of natural beauty and rugged grandeur where you will find rare peace and quiet. This is a national park of high moorlands and sheltered valleys, great granite tors weathered into curious shapes over many thousands of years and wooded, green hillsides.

Whatever the time of year, Dartmoor provides the ideal holiday setting. Why not base yourselves in one of the idyllic, unchanging villages where you'll find thatched cottages and cosy, low-beamed country inns. Whether you choose a hotel, local inn, farm, guest house, self catering or caravan and camping site you are sure to enjoy a warm welcome.

The area has an amazing number of attractions and places to visit - everything from waterfalls to a restored Victorian copper port, as well as specialist centres for marbles, paperweights and teapots.

The high moors are traditionally the place for walkers to experience the real joy of the natural environment. Choose a guided walk and learn about the moor's archaeological heritage, wildlife and folklore, or step out on your own trail - you have the freedom to decide. In and around Dartmoor you'll find something going on all year round in the villages and towns with exhibitions, parades, carnivals, fetes and fairs.

The core of Dartmoor, characterized by tumbling streams and high tors chiselled by the elements, is Dartmoor Forest , which has belonged to the Duchy of Cornwall since 1307, though there is almost unlimited public access. Camping is permitted out of sight of houses and roads, but fires are strictly forbidden. Though networks of signposts or painted stones do exist to guide walkers , map-reading abilities are a prerequisite for any but the shortest walks, and a good deal of experience is essential for longer distances. Information on guided walks and riding facilities is available from National Park Visitor Centres in Dartmoor's major towns and villages, and from information points in smaller villages.