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What Is Dark Sky Tourism and Why Dartmoor Is Perfect for Stargazing

Few things are as pleasant as contemplating a dazzling display of stars twinkling above you. No light pollution and no distractions, just you and the universe. This feeling is so relaxing that many people get involved in what is called dark sky tourism.

This growing trend is all about seeking out destinations where the night sky remains untouched by artificial lights. If you’re looking for one of the best places in the world to start your dark-sky tourism adventure, Dartmoor is the place to go.

Dark Sky Tourism Explained

Dark sky tourism is exactly what it sounds like: travelling to specific places to observe the night sky. Artificial lighting has become so intense in the past years that even astronomical observatories struggle to observe celestial objects.*

This is exactly why areas like Dartmoor, with its vast open landscapes and minimal artificial lighting, have become hotspots for those craving an unforgettable celestial experience.

Dark sky tourism is no longer just a niche interest. In the modern days we live in, more and more people are turning to stargazing as a way to reconnect with something bigger than us. Dark sky tourism is all about reconnecting with the cosmos and not just social media likes.

Why Dartmoor Is a Stargazer’s Paradise

Dartmoor National Park is one of the UK’s premier dark sky locations, with some of the lowest levels of light pollution. The park’s remote location makes it perfect for uninterrupted views of the universe.

Celestial Events Available All Year Round

You can observe Dartmoor’s dark skies almost all year. No need to wait for a specific time frame or season. This will make your holidays easier to book and organise. Here are some events you could witness:
  • The Perseid Meteor Shower (August) – One of the most spectacular meteor showers.
  • The Orionids (October) – Debris from Halley’s Comet lighting up the sky.
  • Winter Constellations – Crisp, clear nights are perfect for spotting Orion, Taurus, and the Pleiades.

Follow these tips if you are a first-timer:

  • Check the weather forecast – Clear skies are a must.
  • Use a stargazing app – Some apps can help you identify constellations.
  • Let your eyes adjust – It takes around 20 minutes for your eyes to adapt to the dark.
  • Bring a red torch – White light disrupts night vision, so opt for a red LED torch instead.
  • Dress warmly – Even in summer, nights on Dartmoor can get chilly.

Keep Yourself Safe

While you’re out enjoying Dartmoor’s dark skies, don’t forget to protect yourself—not just from the cold but also online!
You could be using an app to navigate the stars or share your photos on social media. It doesn’t matter what you are doing; you are probably using your phone for some reason.

Essential Tools for a Safe Trip

  • A VPN for Online Security – If you ever use a public Wi-Fi spot, your data could be unsafe. Using a VPN could protect your information from threats. If you’re on an Android device, don’t forget to download VPN for Android* to keep your online activity private.
  • Headlamps with Red Light Mode – These help you navigate without disrupting your night vision.
  • Portable Charger – Stargazing apps and cameras can drain your battery quickly, so pack a power bank.

Bring the Cosmos Into Your Home

If you love the idea of stargazing but can’t make it to Dartmoor anytime soon, don’t be sad. You can bring the night sky into your home easily and for a small budget. Here are some ideas:
  • Glow-in-the-dark star maps: You can turn your ceiling into a mini night sky with these simple products.
  • Galaxy-inspired decorations: Moon lamps and constellation-themed wallpapers or beddings can be great decorations for fans of the universe.
  • Home telescopes:  You can get different types of telescopes, from professionals to amateurs.

Conclusion

Dartmoor is a dream destination for dark sky tourism because it offers some of the most breathtaking views of the cosmos in the UK.
Next time you’re craving a break from city lights, you know you have to head to Dartmoor and let the universe amaze you.
Don’t be afraid if it’s your first time stargazing; you’ll learn how to enjoy the moment really fast.

*”Sponsored”

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Alder Vineyard

Okehampton

Join us for our Breakfast Club or linger over a long, lazy lunch near Okehampton — with open sandwiches stacked on homemade sourdough, sharing platters loaded with local cheese + charcuterie, and local wine poured by friendly faces. From morning coffees to Devon-style feasts, this is food made to bring people together.

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Ashburton Court

Ashburton

A Breakfast to Remember!

Your host Amy, with the help of Butler Biff, will be whipping up gorgeous gourmet breakfasts every morning, so you can expect to wake up to the golden smell of delicious baked pastries and freshly brewed coffee wafting up the stairs from the Breakfast Room.

Our continental vegetarian breakfasts are made using largely seasonal, locally sourced ingredients. Vegan and gluten or dairy free options are available with prior notice.

There is also a breakfast special every day, which varies with the availability of produce from the guest house garden or local farms. Spinach scramble, poached figs and yoghurt, banana and chocolate muffins or spiced overnight oats, to name a few!

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Duchy House

Princetown

At Duchy House we offer a wide choice of freshly prepared options, ensuring you are ready for a day exploring beautiful Dartmoor. We strive to provide the best breakfast possible and to do this we’re committed to using the highest quality local produce. This not only supports the local economy but guarantees freshness whilst reducing food miles and waste. It is this commitment to our community, environment and sustainability that helped us to achieve the highly coveted Gold standard, awarded by Green Tourism. 

Our suppliers

Our eggs come from the nearby village of Meavy where Jenny, of Meavy Maid, has her farm. Once battery hens, they are now happy free range chickens, scratching around in the fertile Dartmoor soil, breathing in the amazing clean air and taking in the stunning views. Jenny also makes all our jam and marmalade, although the Dartmoor climate means she doesn’t grow her own oranges!

All our meat  – sausages, bacon and hogs pudding – comes from our local butcher, 7 miles away in Tavistock. A traditional family butcher, all sausages are made by hand on the premises to a family recipe.“What’s hogs pudding?” I hear you ask…

Well it’s nothing like black pudding. Hogs pudding is a traditional Devon type of pork sausage but with a firmer texture and a slightly peppery taste.

Fresh fruits and vegetables come from our local supplier in Tavistock.

 Although everything may not be organic, it is fresh and full of flavour.

We even bake our own bread every day, so we know exactly what goes into it, plus it makes the toastiest toast! 

Last but by no means least – coffee. Life is too short for bad coffee, so we only use the highest quality beans, roasted less than five miles away in Horrabridge by Dartmoor Coffee – freshly ground to order for every cup.

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Ashburton Cookery School

Ashburton

The Ashburton Cookery School in Devon is one of the UK’s top cookery schools offering inspirational cookery courses taught by our team of expert chefs.

With over 50 cookery courses to choose from, designed to suit beginners as well as advanced home cooks we will teach you to cook with imagination, passion and enjoyment. If you want to take your cookery skills to the next level we have a cookery course for you.

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East Dart Inn

Postbridge

The East Dart Inn is situated in the heart of Dartmoor in Postbridge, close to the famous clapper bridge and the Dartmoor National Park visitor center. A warm welcome awaits you at this historic coaching inn, which has been beautifully renovated, but still has many original features. 

Here at the East Dart Inn, the bar offers local West Country brews and ciders or hot beverages.

Our menu changes with the seasons, with winter warmers of homemade soups and toasties, through to pub classics like burgers and fish and chips, as well as light lunches, cream teas and pizzas in the summer months, hand cooked in our wood fired pizza oven in our rear beer garden.

During the day our vintage tea rooms are open, with home made cakes, scones and more available, all served on traditional crockery, in a beautifully decorated room, taking you back in time. Afternoon teas are available on request.

We also welcome group bookings for lunches, cream teas or evening meals. We are a perfect stopping point on a walk on the moors or a longer visit to Postbridge. Coach parking is available at the visitor centre.

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Dartmoor Brewery

Princetown

BREWED ON DARTMOOR…BEER WITH ALTITUDE…ENGLAND’S HIGHEST BREWERY

Dartmoor is our birthplace, our home, and the inspiration for our ales.  We’ve been brewing our traditional beers, including the famous and original Jail Ale, for 30 years, here in the heart of Dartmoor National Park. At 1465ft above sea level, we are the highest brewery in England. Breathtaking scenery, wide open spaces and crisp fresh air create a unique backdrop for the brewer’s art, adding an undefinable depth, quality and character to every Dartmoor Brewery ale.

Visit Dartmoor for yourself if you can.  Get out and experience it.  Breathe the air, soak up the views, smell the essence of wild countryside, and feel the myths and legends.  Find a glorious Dartmoor pub serving Dartmoor Brewery ales, and cherish the day.

Whether you’re hiking Dartmoor’s rugged trails, taking a dip in a wild river, or catching up with friends at the local pub, there’s a Dartmoor beer to suit the moment. From exploring the great outdoors to a laid-back pint with good company, wherever the day takes you, Dartmoor Brewery is there to make it even better.

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Gidleigh Park

Chagford

A Culinary Journey Shaped by Season & Place

At Gidleigh Park, dining is more than a meal — it’s a thoughtful experience rooted in the seasons, the kitchen garden and the landscape that surrounds us. From refined tasting menus in our Michelin-starred setting to relaxed lunches with valley views, each dish is crafted with provenance, precision and a quiet sense of occasion. Savour the best of Devon’s produce, paired with warm hospitality and unforgettable flavour.

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Boringdon Hall

Plymouth

Afternoon tea at Boringdon Hall

Step into the grandeur of the historic Boringdon Hall Hotel near Plymouth and enjoy the special treat of a delightfully themed afternoon tea. Relax in the elegant surroundings of the Great Hall within this Elizabethan country manor and indulge in a selection of delicate savouries alongside beautifully crafted sweet confections and cakes. Throughout the year, afternoon teas at Boringdon Hall evolve with the seasons, each one celebrating a new moment in the calendar.

From the 8th February to 30th April, step into a storybook-inspired escape with the Tea & Tales Afternoon Tea.

Gift mum a day of luxury on 14th & 15th March with Mother’s Day Afternoon Tea, complete with a glass of champagne, choosing from two sittings: 1–3pm and 3–5pm.

On 1st April, expect a few surprises at the playful April Fools’ Afternoon Tea where all is not as it seems, and savour seasonal delights at Easter Afternoon Tea from 3rd to 6th April.

From the 1st to 31st May, Boringdon celebrates estate-made honey with Honey Afternoon Tea. For an immersive experience, join the Beekeeping Course & Honey Afternoon Tea on Mondays in May, including a guided hive visit.

The classics return with Traditional Afternoon Tea from the 1st to 28th June, followed by summer style with Wimbledon Afternoon Tea from the 29th June to 12th July, offering a playful nod to the beloved tennis championships.

At Boringdon Hall, every afternoon tea is more than a treat, it’s an unforgettable experience to be savoured at the enchanted place on the hill.

Book afternoon tea at Boringdon Hall in Devon.

 

MICHELIN moments at Àclèaf

For an exquisite dining experience that lingers long after the final course, spend an evening at Àclèaf, the MICHELIN-Starred, 4 AA Rosette restaurant nestled at the heart of Boringdon Hall Hotel. Settle into an intimate, romantic setting overlooking the Great Hall and savour a night celebrating the very best of Devon’s local produce.

At Àclèaf, Head Chef Scott Paton crafts menus that evolve with the seasons, showcasing modern British cuisine at the peak of creativity and technique. From the signature four-course menu to the seven-course tasting menu, every dish reflects a harmonious blend of innovation, tradition and sophistication.

Àclèaf earned its MICHELIN Star for the fourth consecutive year in 2026, a testament to the restaurant’s exceptional vision, technical skill, and dedication to delivering memorable experiences for every guest.

Expertly curated wine pairings complement each menu to enhance flavours and elevate the experience of every dish. Whether you are marking a special occasion or seeking a magical night of fine dining in beautiful surroundings, Àclèaf promises a culinary journey to remember. 

Until the end of February, discover some of the restaurants most-loved dishes with the Acleaf x Acleaf Book Menu. Savour four courses taken from the Àclèaf book, a beautifully bound keepsake by Head Chef Scott Paton that celebrates Acleaf’s journey from idea to fruition. Each course is served with recipe cards for a rare insight into the inventive dishes and local ingredients the restaurant is renowned for.

Make 2026 a MICHELIN year with an evening at Àclèaf, at Boringdon Hall near Plymouth.

Book your table at Àclèaf

www.boringdonhall.co.uk 

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The Chagford Inn

Chagford

The Chagford Inn , Award-Winning Dining on the Edge of Dartmoor

At The Chagford Inn, food is not just served, it’s brought to the table with care. Nestled in the historic stannary town of Chagford, our pub has earned its reputation as one of Devon’s leading dining destinations, celebrated for imaginative menus, devon and ethical produce, and relaxed, heartfelt atmosphere.

Our chefs work closely with local farmers, growers, and producers, baking our own bread, butchering in-house, and championing the flavours of Dartmoor in every dish. It’s this commitment to quality that has earned us national recognition from an AA Rosette for culinary excellence to a coveted place in the Estrella Damm Top 100 Gastropubs 2026, plus multiple regional awards including Trencherman’s Best Pub 2025 and Food Drink Devon Best Pub 2025/26.

What we offer: 

Dine with us: Our menu evolves with the seasons and the landscape around us high-quality, imaginative food served in a setting that blends character and comfort. Whether you’re joining us for a relaxed lunch or an evening celebrating the very best of the South West, every plate is designed with care and rooted in local flavour. 

Stay with us: Across our peaceful courtyard garden, we offer two dog-friendly guest rooms, perfect for walkers, weekend explorers, or anyone wishing to linger a little longer in one of Dartmoor’s most picturesque towns. Warm, comfortable, and just moments from the moor the ideal base for your Devon escape.

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Bovey Castle

Moretonhampstead

Sunday Roasts & Afternoon Tea at Bovey Castle

Escape to the heart of Devon and indulge in a truly memorable culinary experience at Bovey Castle. Our Sunday roasts are a feast for all the senses, think succulent, locally sourced meats, seasonal vegetables, and all the trimmings, served in our elegant dining room with views over the castle’s stunning grounds. It’s the perfect way to gather friends and family for a relaxed, delicious Sunday treat.

For a lighter but equally indulgent experience, our afternoon tea is a must. Enjoy freshly baked scones, delicate finger sandwiches, and a selection of sweet treats, accompanied by your choice of premium teas or a glass of Champagne. Whether you’re catching up with friends or celebrating a special occasion, Bovey Castle’s afternoon tea is a charming escape into a world of refinement and flavor.

Both experiences reflect our commitment to exceptional service, locally sourced ingredients, and creating moments to remember.

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The Horn of Plenty

Tavistock

Our Fine Dining Restaurant with views of the Magnificent Tamar Valley.

With a passion for local produce and a team of helpful and attentive staff, The Horn of Plenty hotel near Tavistock has a 60 year history as one of Devon’s finest.

Our 3 AA Rosette restaurant has a panoramic view of the stunning, untouched beauty of the Tamar Valley, where diners are invited to enjoy a truly unique experience. Our menu showcases our passion for British food, with hints of French flair.

Our talented team of chefs all thrive at creating exciting dishes using high quality seasonal ingredients. Creativity, flavour and visual appeal are all harnessed to stunning effect.

We are big advocates of local producers. Over 90% of our produce is sourced from the South West. We believe passionately that Devon and Cornwall are home to some of the finest ingredients in the land, so we source locally where we can and theme our dishes based on the seasons.

Our Country House Hotel is the perfect setting to sit back and relax whilst you enjoy this charming Devon pastime. Enjoy the perfect afternoon tea on the patio, in the restaurant or in our lovely drawing room.

Gourmet Dining at One of The Best Restaurants in Devon

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The Ilsington Country House Hotel & Spa

Ilsington

At the heart of Ilsington Country House Hotel lies our award-winning restaurant, proudly holding two AA Rosettes and boasting breathtaking views across Haytor. Here, dining is a refined yet welcoming experience, where modern English flavours meet the very best of Devon’s larder. Under the guidance of Head Chef Mike O’Donnell, who has been at the helm since 1998, the menu evolves with the seasons, showcasing Dartmoor lamb, beef and pork, alongside the daily catch from Brixham’s boats. West Country cheeses, including Quickes and Sharpham, sit proudly on our cheeseboard, while ingredients foraged from our own grounds add an authentic touch. Every dish celebrates provenance, creativity and the natural beauty that surrounds us.

For something more relaxed, The Blue Tiger offers a warm and informal setting perfect for leisurely lunches, light bites or a traditional Devonshire cream tea. Our homemade scones are a firm favourite, best enjoyed with a generous helping of local jam and clotted cream. As with all our dining, we remain committed to sourcing quality local ingredients, ensuring even the simplest pleasure.

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The Bedford Hotel

Tavistock

Award-winning dining based around some of the very best local ingredients of the season, and served in the elegant surroundings of the historic Bedford Hotel in the very heart of Tavistock.  Lunches are always popular – with everything from a warming bowl of home-made soup to a hearty three course affair – or book a table for dinner in the Woburn Restaurant for an evening of delicious dining in very convivial surroundings. As the birthplace of the Devon Cream Tea, you can enjoy this classic teatime treat all day, every day – and for a little extra afternoon indulgence, the Duchess of Bedford Afternoon Tea is something very special indeed.

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Two Bridges Hotel

Two Bridges

Exceptional dining in the very heart of Dartmoor National Park, based around some of the best ingredients of the season from local farmers, fishermen and producers. Enjoy a relaxed lunch, served in the hotel’s characterful bar or restaurant, or take in the scenery with an alfresco lunch on a warmer day. In the evening, the Tors Restaurant is the place to be, with award-winning, seasonally-themed menus served in unique and elegant surroundings.  For a weekend treat, Sunday Lunch at Two Bridges is always special – or if you are out for a day on Dartmoor, stop by for the famous Two Bridges Cream Tea.

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White Hart Hotel

Moretonhampstead

Start your day with a proper coffee, served from 10am – locally roasted, expertly prepared by our trained baristas, and offered with your choice of milk, including dairy-free alternatives. Pair it with a Full English featuring sausage, bacon and hog’s pudding from a local butcher, or try our vegetarian cooked breakfast. Prefer something lighter? Go for smashed avocado with poached egg on toast.

At lunch, choose from a tempting selection to suit every appetite. Thick-cut sandwiches, sirloin steak, homemade pies, vegan burgers and indulgent desserts.

Dinner is a relaxed affair in our refurbished dining room with original Georgian features and thick Dartmoor stone walls. Begin with goat’s cheese brûlée, then enjoy seared venison loin with celeriac purée and blackberry reduction, or a classic steak and ale pie. Finish with peach tarte tatin or a dark chocolate délice.

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