Advice on Dartmoor UK?

[mealers]

I live less than an hours drive from Dartmoor but I have never spent much time up there and have no idea where to go for good photo opportunities.
Has anyone got any suggestions to where l could go?

Mike

 

[Steve Roberts]

I live less than an hours drive from Dartmoor but I have never spent much time up there and have no idea where to go for good photo opportunities.
Has anyone got any suggestions to where l could go?

Mike

Hi Mike,

Firstly, can I suggest that you take a look at the local section of Waterstones in Plymouth for some ideas?

It all really depends what kind of subject matter you like. The moor tends to be (in my simple terminology) wide and low rather than mountainous regions such as Snowdonia where a lot more height is involved and it's very easy for landscape shots to look - how can I put it - boring as hell! I like to head for one of the tors with their gigantic granite cow-pats which at least provide some vertical interest in shots. There are some wonderful textures to be had in these. I'd also suggest going when the sun is low, which for me is evening as I don't do mornings. The low light picks out many details in the landscape that aren't visible in the middle of the day - hut circles, rabbit warrens, tin-streaming works, etc.. Virtually everything you see on the moor is to some extent man-made - hardly an inch hasn't been mined, farmed or used by the military at some time.

One of my favourite locations (I'm into mining) for trying out a new lens, camera, film or whatever is the deserted engine house of Wheal Betsy on the right hand side of the A386 just after you've climbed the steep hill out of Mary Tavy heading towards Okehampton. As the hill tops out there's a cattle grid and you can turn right down there along a concreted track, park in the bottom of the valley and walk up to the engine house. There are no access/permission hassles. For a tor, Pew Tor near Samford Spiney is a good'un and only a short walk from the car. Of course, anywhere out that way will give you some good opportunities for farming/people shots. Just a couple of thoughts to get you going.

Best wishes,
Steve

 

[Bob F.]

I recently bookmarked this site and this site as I am planning a trip down there myself. May be useful to you.

Cheers, Bob.

 

[Schlapp]

What about the imposing prison?

 

[sausage100uk]

Treat yourself, stay a night at the plume of feathers in Princetown (lovely cider and great grub) then take some shots of the prison, then out the back of the pub to South Hessary Tor. Just down the Road is Sheep Tor. Kings Tor is a good walk along the disused railway all local to Princetown. You might not know but there are lots of standing stones and stone circles on the moor, very moody in the right light. Then on the way home go via the river Dart for some water shots. Are you a camper at all? if so rememeber you can camp out on the moor for those early morning sunrise shots. Hope this helps... Dave

 

[yellowcat]

Wistmans Wood is worth a look, it is half hour walk up fromfrom the car park opposite the Two Bridges Hotel.
There some photos of the area on the BBC site:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/devon/content/image_galleries/wistmans_wood_gallery.shtml

 

[Ian Grant]

Just get out and about there, I stopped off for an while on the way back from Cornwall 3 years ago and it's an amazing area.

Your lucky to live quite close so you can make return visits, it's an area like the Forest of Dean or Peak District that's worth taking time to get to know well.

Ian

 

[Struan Gray]

I'd agree with Ian: just go there. It's not the sort of landscape that lends itself to scenic viewpoints, but is very rewarding to simply be in. Don't neglect the river valleys at the edges, and don't deny yourself the pleasure of a cream tea at Belstone.

 

[mealers]

Thanks for the responses.

I'm heading off there this evening, just waiting for the courier to deliver some WT paper so hopefully should have something to show on Sunday.

Thanks again
Mike