Dartmoor National Park Moorland
Exeter · TQ13
Amenities
Summary
366 square miles of open moorland in Devon — granite tors, Bronze Age remains, Princetown prison, and one of the few genuinely elemental landscapes left in southern England.
About this location
Dartmoor is a national park of 366 square miles in the heart of Devon, rising to 621 metres at High Willhays. The visual character is dominated by open moorland — grassland, heather, and bracken on the high ground, broken by granite rock outcrops (tors) of which there are around 160 named examples. The landscape is ancient in feel: there are more than 2,000 documented Bronze Age and earlier structures on the moor, including stone rows, stone circles, and field enclosures. Princetown in the centre of the moor is home to HM Prison Dartmoor, a working Victorian prison whose granite exterior has appeared in numerous productions.
Dartmoor’s filming credentials are substantial. The Hound of the Baskervilles uses the moor as its primary setting and numerous film and television adaptations have returned to Dartmoor for this reason. The moor also appeared in War Horse (2011) for sequences requiring English countryside. More recently, it has been used in thriller and horror productions taking advantage of the moor’s genuinely remote atmospheric quality.
The Dartmoor National Park Authority manages commercial filming permits for the open moorland. Individual landowners manage the in-bye land (enclosed fields in the moorland valleys). Two Army training ranges — Okehampton and Willsworthy — cover parts of the high moor and their use is coordinated by the Ministry of Defence; range access must be checked before any shooting. The B3357 and B3212 give the main vehicle access routes across the moor.
Access notes
- Parking
- On-site parking available — confirm crew-vehicle capacity with the venue.
- Loading access
- Loading access not listed. Confirm access points, door widths, and lift availability with the venue before the day.
- Public transit
- Exeter has mainline rail and regional bus connections. Check the nearest station and allow for equipment on-foot from transit.
Ask us about this location
Quick question before you enquire upstream? We often know day-rate ranges, permit lead times, or a direct-to-owner shortcut not shown on the source page.
On the map
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FAQ
- Do I need a permit to film at Dartmoor National Park Moorland?
- Yes — filming on or around Dartmoor National Park Moorland typically requires a permit. Allow roughly 5–10 working days lead time for most UK councils. Interior shoots on private property may also need owner consent.
- Is parking available at Dartmoor National Park Moorland?
- On-site parking is available at Dartmoor National Park Moorland. Capacity varies — confirm crew-vehicle numbers with the venue before the day.
- How much does it cost to film at Dartmoor National Park Moorland?
- Dartmoor National Park Moorland sits in the £ band. Typical UK film-location day rates range from under £200 for simple interior shoots to well over £1,000 for period properties and landmark venues. Confirm with the venue directly.
- What crew size is suitable for Dartmoor National Park Moorland?
- Dartmoor National Park Moorland can accommodate a large crew of 15+ including feature-film unit requirements, trucks, and extras.
- Has anything been filmed at Dartmoor National Park Moorland before?
- Dartmoor National Park Moorland appears on Filmshoot's UK location index because it has a documented track record or strong characteristics for film and photography. Specific production credits aren't displayed unless publicly confirmed by the venue — ask the venue directly or check ScreenSkills and IMDb Locations for verified credits.
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