So it might seem a strange suggestion to some, but heading to Dartmoor mid winter can offer the most lovely break away. Yes its does rain on Dartmoor, and more often that not, more than anywhere else in the South West, but Dartmoor changes in the wintertime. It's cold, blustery and atmospheric. I love Dartmoor National Park in winter, and here are my top six reasons why!
1) Get Some Fresh Air
Did you know that bearded lichen only grows where the air is clean? On Dartmoor, this amazing lichen grown in abondance and makes the trees look like they have been decorated by the local pixies.
2) Go Free Range
Fancy a nice walk on the moors? Dartmoor offers 365 square miles of open access moorland to explore, and with the bracken dying down for the winter, even more pathways appear.
3) Blow The Cobwebs Away
Yep- it gets windy too on Dartmoor in winter, but I love nothing more than coming in from a blustery walk, I feel I’ve really been out in the elements and I've blow away some cobwebs- isn't funny how weather can make you feel like that!
4) Slow Down
Shorter days mean slower mornings and earlier evenings, maybe the slower pace if just want we need after a busy summer. With evenings drawing in earlier, you may somewhat be forced indoors for long cozy evenings by the fire, reading a good book or watching a movie with a nice glass of wine- when was the last time you did that?
5) Meet the locals
We’re all still here over winter, the pubs are open with fires roaring away and great food being served, the sheep, the cows and the ponies still roam the moor and the wildlife can still be spotted. Many attractions are still open to at least some degree, and life on the moor continues.
6) And Enjoy The View
Now it seems I’ve painted a picture of end-to-end rain and wind, but of course this is not always the case. The weather is very changeable up here on Dartmoor, and one day may be incredibly wet but then the next day can be an indulgence of winter sunshine and amazing vista’s.
In my opinion, we all need to slow down and take a break at some point in winter, we would love to welcome you to The Old Railway Cottage, and welcome we do! We have beautiful high quality bed linen and towels for our guests, and we supply a lovely welcome hamper on arrival. We supply plenty of logs for the log burner, and I'm on hand should you have any questions on the best places to walk or visit in the national park and beyond.
Hope to be welcoming you to Dartmoor National Park before too long.
Love Becky xxx