The Dartmoor Experience a day to remember.
The Taste Of Dartmoor Safari
This Safari is different in many ways as this takes in scenery to the North of Dartmoor passing Dartmoor's highest tor.
Dartmoor Safaris call at the local market which you will find very interesting stalls.This market started in the11th century and is very popular today. Time for morning coffee at this delightful little spot.
Visit one of Dartmoor's ancient villages, climb a tor to see the highest church on the moor at Brent Tor still open for prayer. Legend has it that the Devil moved the building material up the tor in the hopes that no one would worship there. St.Michael caught him and threw boulders at him to frighten him away and you can still see the boulders to this day.
A little further on a short stop for a glimpse of the Devils Cauldron at Lydford Gorge before stopping in the village of Lydford for lunch at an Olde Worlde pub for lunch. Built in the 1550s included in The Hound of the Baskervilles story by Sir Arthur Connan Doyle.
The food is great a menu for everyone. During your stay in this ancient village you are able see the ruins of Dartmoor's grimmest prisons Lydford Castle. Once this evil place saw the demise of hundreds of people some even before their trial which became known Lydford Law. During this exciting tour Dartmoor Safaris are able to show you what perhaps is the most strange inn in the world.Maybe you know different.
The tour passes by Dartmoor's highest tor High Willeys 2039ft above sea level before calling at the market town of Okehampton for a short stop, just long enough to explore the little alleyways for hundreds of different things some of which you longer see elsewhere.
The last stop for the day is Fingle Bridge.Just the right place to watch the world go by. A really relaxing area where one can wonder along the banks of the river, sunbath or take this time take in Devons best kept secret "The Devonshire Cream Tea"
Dragging your selves away once more set off for home passing through Morton Hampstead ,meandering back to Plymouth in time for dinner.
Safari Leaves Plymouth Bus Station 09.00a.m returning at 17.00p.m. These are suggested times but Dartmoor Safaris plan your day out to suit you. Pick you and your party direct from your residence if required.
Clothing
Whilst on either safari Dartmoor Safaris suggest you wear good shoes suitable for walking in. Depending on time of year a fleece in the summer and something warmer in the winter
www.metoffice.gov.uk
Check the weather now.
The Hound of the Baskerville Safari
Get close to Nature come and see the wildlife. - 'Dartmoor 'England's Last Wilderness.
None who have been here can fail to be impressed, overawed and enriched by its rugged beauty,its magnificent Tors and its mysteries and myths.
Climb aboard Dartmoor Safaris luxury comfortable Eight seated vehicle and head off for 'The Dartmoor Experience'. Spend a day discovering all what Dartmoor has to offer. Dartmoor is 368 square miles in size. The mean height is 1500 ft with the highest Tor 2039 ft . Dartmoor is in the County of Devon South West of England.It really is a beautiful place to visit, Dartmoor Safaris show you this beautiful area like no others..
Dartmoor Safaris use the smaller roads where the coaches are unable to go. Your driver/ guide has grown up in the area and has quite a good knowledge of the area. He can tell you about the the tales and legends of Dartmoor. Join Dartmoor Safaris at Plymouth to see the real Dartmoor. You will find it is of interest to all ages from children to the elderly and everyone really enjoys their day out with Dartmoor Safaris. The tour covers over 100 miles although it is such a relaxing day you would never guess..
You will be able to see some terrific scenery that seems to be unique to this area. See the beautiful world famous Dartmoor ponies. These ponies have been on the moor since at least the bronze age,during this time they have been used for various things including pack horses for the tin miners for several centuries.
Twenty years ago there where about thirty thousand ponies on the moor but has now declined down to one thousand five hundred but some say less.If we are not very careful Dartmoor ponies will be a thing of the past loosing the ponies altogether also one of the best sights on the moor.The Dartmoor Pony is a beautiful creature and nice to look at but please remember these are wild animals and to protect their foals they may kick out so do not get to close to them.
You have been warned. Dartmoor also is home to thousands of sheep. There is a saying down here "As daft as a sheep" but let me tell you these animals are really clever as you will see when you join us for a day on Safari.
Dartmoor is beautiful in its different ways all seasons. Spring is the great time to visit .There are hundreds of plants and flowers too numourous to mention all but nice to photograph so don't forget the camera. Your driver / guides will be happy to point out things of interest as you travel around this spectacular landscape. Listen to some of the folklore stories which abound. Pass Jays' grave where fresh flowers are always found without anyone knowing who puts them there. Now spring is almost upon us Dartmoor Awakes from its winter sleep.
Pass by the notorious Dartmoor Prison which has housed in the past the most evil criminals in the country.We will tell you all about the history of the MOOR built as a prisoner of war camp by the French prisoners and later held the Americans in the 1812 war. It then became one of the worst prisons in 1850 still in service to this day. The prison is built in the village of Princetown which lays claim to be the highest village in England - 1400 foot above sea level.
See where Sir Arthur Connen Doyle stayed when he got the idea of the book The Hound of the Baskervilles one of our clasics. See the area which he used in his famous book. We usually stop here for our much needed morning coffee.After this we will be take a short drive and look around one of the sites of a bronze age settlement. Dartmoor has thousands of artifacts from the Bronze Age more than anywhere in Great Britain all preserved for us to see. There are strong laws guarding them for future generations to enjoy.
Please remember to wear the right clothing as the weather on the moors is quite changeable.Dartmoor Safaris do carry a supply of umberellas so don,t worry you won,t get wet. The winters are very seldom severe but for the unwary Dartmoor can throw up a few surprises as countless escapees from the prison have found out by being unable to get off the moor and within a few exceptions have been re-captured within a short distance from the prison.
The timid deer may also be spotted along with badgers, rabbits, foxes and numerous birds. See the Tors, how they are formed in granite. Time is allowed to amble up one of the Tors.
A really great day out book now to join us.
Call 01752 500567
A - Z British Birds
Features of the Moor
The Beast of the Moor
Over the past few years there has been several sightings of large cat type animals by several walkers . Animals have been seen in several other parts of Devon as well so we can safely assume they are out there.
Maybe just maybe you might spot and be the first to photograph the illusive 'Beast of the Moor'
Tracks of the beast thought to be a puma have been discovered on the edge of Dartmoor recently as reported on West Country Television.
The last known spotting ofa big cat was August 2006 at Legis Tor where a big cat was seen stalking the sheep. The animal was about a foot taller than the sheep.
Wild Boar
Once again wild boar have been spotted on Dartmoor. These animals were freed from a farm on Exmoor by animal rites activists but dispite determined efforts by hunters have remained free. Do not aproach these animals because they can be dangerous.Keep your dogs on the lead. The boar have seemed to have settled in around the Yelverton area so if you do come in contact with them be careful. Farmers are already demanding the animals should be shot because of the damage they are causing.Since the Boar have been on the moor,piglets have arrived so watch out for mum as she will be protecting her young.
Wild boar were naturally native of Dartmoor but were hunted to distinction about three hundred years ago.The Forest of Dartmoor as it was called was hunted by the Kings of England for several centuries.
b
Whitchcraft.
For centuries there has been tales of witches on Dartmoor none more so than today.
Recently found carcasses of slaughtered sheep found with their eyes gouged out laid out in the shape of a seven pointed star, a symbol linked to the notorious Aleister Crowley once described as 'the wickedest man in the world, sugest witchcraft is out there now.
One moorland farmer who has lost a dozen sheep , said:''What really baffles us is the way the sheep are caught. They are incredibly skittish and nervous animals, so almost impossible to catch.It,s possible that they use nets or tranquillisers but it really is a total mystery and scary.
DON'T GO ON THE MOOR AT NIGHT.
THE EXMOOR SAFARI
NEW for 2008
This year we also take in the wonderful Exmoor National Park Join us NOW
A Great day excursion which we are sure you will enjoy .
Only £30 P.P based on Eight Sharing
BOOK EARLY
Exmoor National Park is situated in the counties of Devon and Somerset in South West England; . The park contains a variety of magnificent landscapes. Although it is one of the smaller National Parks the central plateau of open moorland is remote and spacious. To the north the moorland terminates in towering cliffs above the Bristol Channel. Rocky headlands, steep wooded ravines, plunging waterfalls and jumbled heaps of fallen rock make this an area of outstanding scenic beauty; it is defined as a Heritage Coast. Don't miss Snowdrop Valley in February. Click here for more Exmoor information.
On this beautiful day out we pass through some of Devon's best scenery.After we leave the motorway at Exeter we follow the scenic Exe valley through the old market town of Tiverton.
GENUKI/Devon: Tiverton - Genealogyfamous
Tiverton There has been a settlement here since Saxon times 650. The original name was Twyforde so called because one had to cross two fords to get there.As other places in Devon Tiverton was effected by the Black Death and lost a tenth of the population to the plague between 1348 - 1350 The Great Western canal has an horse drawn barge which is very popular with the visitors. The canal built in 1814 so that lime from the quarries could be transported. The canal was originally connected to the Bridgewater canal allowing heavy lace making machinery to brought into the Heathcoat lace making factory which still exists today. The canal however has its limitations as over the years fell into disrepair.Blundell,s School which has a world class recognition has been sited in Tiverton since 1604 although over the years it has moved to the site where it is now. The original buildings can be seen nearer the town at Loman bridge are still in use mostly for accommodation . A famous headmaster was R.D. Blackmore who wrote the book 'Lorna Doone' which is all about Exmoor.Market day is on Tueday of each week. Always held on tuesday since the roundheads stopped the monday market as they did not want the stall holders to get their goods ready on sundays.
to Bampton and on to Exmoor. Exmoor is not so rugged as Dartmoor but just as nice. Your driver has a very good knowledge of this area so you can be assured of a really good day. 
Did You Know
We are for hire for shopping trips, nights out, shows,special events.Cross Channel shopping for your ?Cigarettes and Drink For up to eight persons. Unable to get transport? Check with us we might be able to help. Please ring us for a quote our prices are very reasonable.
Private Parties, Corporate Outings
Do You Organise trips for small groups or clubs? Try something different this year. Ring for a quote we offer the best value in the West. Phone 01752 500567 ask for Cyril or Margaret
A few ideas of day trips from Plymouth
Take a trip to see the Eden Project said to be one of the modern wonders of the world well worth a visit. For this trip you will need about five hours.
Drive down through Cornwall to Lands End a real nice day out.This trip takes all day .The choice is endless.
Contact 01752 500567 to make an advance booking or discuss your requirements.
Please call our office 01752 500567 for more information.
Weekend Specials
If you are not sure where to stay in Plymouth or on Dartmoor we will be more than happy to find a Hotel , Guest House or B&B and book it for you and your party. You can be sure we will find just the right place for your stay.We will be very pleased to pick up at the place you choose to stay for you Dartmoor Safari.We will work out excursions so that you and your party see what this wonderful area has to offer All at a very reasonable price. Please ring to help plan your stay . (Highly recommended)
Walkers
We are available for groups of walkers of up to six persons drop offs and pickups on the moor. We will also be pleased to ferry your luggage ahead for your next stop. No transport?We can arrange to meet your party at airport,railway station or bus station and take you to your Hotel and take care of all your travel arrangements for your holiday. Allow us to help you with your groups itinery we know all the best places. Although we specialise in Dartmoor we do have a very good knowledge of Devon,Cornwall and Somerset so we can arrange your holiday visits anywhere in these counties. Please ring for a very competetive price.
Short Walks
We can arrange short walks starting from a number of Dartmoor Inns taking in some of the great scenery Dartmoor has to offer. Our walks are from 1 3/4 miles up to 4 1/2 miles.We drop your party off and meet you at the same place allowing time to visit the inn for a meal or just a pint. Full directions supplied. A nice way to take in the fresh air and pleasant surroundings.If you walk on the moor please wear the right gear as you can get caught out.