Dartmoor private tours

In Dartmoor, the moors stretch endlessly, their wild beauty dotted with grazing ponies and ancient rock formations. There's a haunting allure to this landscape, where mist rolls over hills like a soft blanket and time feels suspended. Your local guide leads you on Dartmoor tours that uncover the mystique of this natural wonder. From walking tours that trek through heather-clad expanses to tales of folklore shared by a crackling fire in a local pub, your guide knows how to weave the magic of Dartmoor into every moment. Discover the land where nature sings and legends roam free. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look a...

In Dartmoor, the moors stretch endlessly, their wild beauty dotted with grazing ponies and ancient rock formations. There's a haunting allure to this landscape, where mist rolls over hills like a soft blanket and time feels suspended. Your local guide leads you on Dartmoor tours that uncover the mystique of this natural wonder. From walking tours that trek through heather-clad expanses to tales of folklore shared by a crackling fire in a local pub, your guide knows how to weave the magic of Dartmoor into every moment. Discover the land where nature sings and legends roam free. If you’re looking for more inspiration, take a look at our curated list of things to do in Dartmoor.

Explore Dartmoor your way

At ToursByLocals, we believe that how you explore is just as important as where you go. That’s why every Dartmoor tour is private, flexible, and built around you: Move at your own pace, skip the crowds, make connections and follow your curiosity. Find local guides offering private tours in Dartmoor for every interest, including:

Layover tours: Pickup at Exeter Airport or Plymouth station can turn a short stop into a 3 to 6 hour circuit of the moor, with a quick walk on Haytor and photos at the Postbridge clapper bridge. Meet Dartmoor ponies, then enjoy a cream tea in Widecombe-in-the-Moor before your on-time drop-off.

Nature and Wildlife tours: Join a sunrise walk to Hound Tor or a mossy stroll in Wistman's Wood while looking for ponies and birdlife around Burrator Reservoir. Your guide can adjust the route to your pace and share safe paths across the tors.

History tours: Explore Bronze Age hut circles and the stone rows at Merrivale, then visit the ruins at Grimspound to picture prehistoric life. Add Princetown for the small prison museum and stories of the moor's turnpikes and tin-working.

Public transit on the moor is limited and distances are long. Most visitors rely on chauffeured tours with private transportation, which your guide can organize.

This isn’t a one-size-fits-all itinerary, you can tailor your private tour to match your interests, pace and personality with a local who knows Dartmoor inside and out.

Walking tours & neighbourhoods

Day trip ideas from Dartmoor

Use Dartmoor as your base and dip into nearby cities, rivers, and the coast with easy day trips, and if you prefer structure, private tours help you focus on the parts you care about most.

Exeter: Wander a compact city built around a Gothic cathedral, Roman walls, and the lively quay, and mix short walks with time in small museums and indie shops so you balance history with a relaxed lunch by the water.

Plymouth: Check out the Barbican’s lanes, The Hoe’s sea views, and working harbours, then add a harbour cruise or an art stop at The Box, which suits you if naval history, street photography, and coastal scenery sit high on your list.

Totnes and Dartmouth: Start in Totnes for markets and cafes, then follow the River Dart by road or boat to Dartmouth for pastel streets and castle views, a good fit if you like local food, mellow walks, and river scenery in one day.

Torquay, English Riviera: Head for beaches, a palm-lined promenade, and the South West Coast Path, easy to tailor for a long cliff walk, a swim, or a seafood stop, so your day stays active without being rushed.

Tavistock and Brentor: Browse a classic pannier market and canal paths in Tavistock, then climb the short, steep path to St Michael de Rupe on Brentor for wide moor views, ideal if you want light hiking paired with a historic town.

A private tour with a local guide is the best way to really get to know a place. Skip the crowds, follow your interests, and see a side of Dartmoor most travellers miss.