Haytor, Dartmoor

The iconic Haytor Rocks were created around 280 million years ago by magma cooling beneath the earth’s crust. Over time, geological shifts, glacial activity, and relentless weathering wore away the earth’s uppermost layers and revealed the giant granite formations you see today. Hewn by time, these mighty monuments have overseen countless chapters of the area’s history, standing like silent stone sentries on either side of a distinctive avenue above the landscapes.

Mostly composed of mineral-rich granite, the area around Haytor became a significant hub of mining activity. Operating from the late 18th until the 19th century, the local Haytor Quarry and Haytor Granite Railway were responsible for producing and transporting huge amounts of stone. Using a practice known as ‘feather and tare’, granite was extracted from the area and used in widespread innovations, including the construction of the Granite Tramway (now known as The Templer Way) to Teignmouth, and even London Bridge and the British Museum.

It’s not just granite that the area is famous for though. Tin mining was carried out on Haytor Down between the 12th and 18th centuries, while evidence of human activity near Haytor Rocks extends as far back as the Bronze Age. Etched into the surroundings, the remains of Bronze Age roundhouses, field boundaries, and burial cairns can still be seen, revealing a past stretching back more than 4,000 years.

An area of wild beauty, Haytor Rocks and its quarries are now protected as a Site of Special Scientific Interest, preventing development and limiting disturbance. Supporting a rich ecosystem and untamed moorland habitats, it is renowned for not only its geological significance but its ecological importance too. Emblematic of the area, large swathes of bracken and upland heathland encompass the landscapes, while carpets of lichen and moss cover the rough granite faces of Haytor’s boulders.

Especially enchanting in spring, seas of bluebells blanket nearby Holwell Lawn, while around Haytor Rocks, heather, gorse, and purple moor grass thrive. If you’re lucky, patience and keen eyes may reveal sightings of rare fritillary butterflies, as well as small pearl bordered, dark green, and silver washed fritillaries. During this colourful season, you can sometimes hear the telltale call of cuckoos too.

That said, you don’t have to wait for spring, and every month reveals new wonders at Haytor Rocks. Frequently seen flying above the moorland and flitting between shrubby copses are skylarks, meadow pipits, wheatears, stonechats, and Dartford warblers. Ravens, buzzards, kestrels and sparrowhawks can often be seen in the sky, while on the ground in the warmer months, reptiles such as lizards can sometimes be spotted absorbing the warmth of the sun.

Perfect for stocking up on treats and refreshments and gleaning lots of top local insights, Haytor in Dartmoor is served by one of the National Park’s three visitor centres. Situated in Haytor Vale just half a mile from Haytor Rocks and 10 miles from us at The White Hart, the centre is ideally placed for exploring the locale and offers parking and EV charging.

Head over to purchase a local guide to walks around Haytor Rocks and Haytor Down and speak to the knowledgeable staff. You can also learn more about the Haytor audio trail, which allows you to enjoy your own self-led tour. Just down the road, there is also roadside parking even closer to Haytor Rocks.

To extend your adventuring around Haytor Rocks, you can hop aboard the Haytor Hoppa bus on select days during the summer from the Visitor Centre and enjoy a novel perspective of the local area. Or to stretch your legs some more, you can spend time exploring the myriad paths at your own pace.

Pick up the short, accessible Miles Without Stiles route to Haytor Quarry and follow the course of the old Granite Tramway, or take on all or part of the 18-mile Templer Way trail which begins at Haytor and finishes at Teignmouth on the coast. No matter how you choose to explore, you are sure to be swept away by the natural wonder that surrounds you in this stunning pocket of Dartmoor.

Ready to escape reality for a while and embrace the beauty of Dartmoor? If you are looking for a weekend of hiking or a relaxed holiday leisurely exploring the area’s legendary landmarks, then we would be thrilled to welcome you.

Set in The Square in Moretonhampstead, our beautiful Georgian hotel in Dartmoor is just a stone’s throw from Haytor Rocks and many stunning places to visit. Choose from our collection of rooms to unwind and make the most of our onsite dining, enjoying exceptional hospitality honed over 250 years.

Take a look at our current offers and packages to start planning your Dartmoor visit!

View Offers