8 easy to reach Dartmoor Photo Locations Close to the Car

Dartmoor isn’t just about long yomps across open moor. Sometimes you want to pull up, walk a couple of minutes at most, and still come away with strong images and a real sense of the place. These eight spots are all close to the road, ideal if you can’t walk far, are short on time, or want to tick off several locations in a day. I’ve added simple directions, likely approach roads, and a few practical photo tips for each.

1. River Avon waterfalls, Shipley Bridge

Where is it?

Shipley Bridge sits at the end of a minor road signposted from the A38 at South Brent, following the lane signposted to the Avon Dam and parking in the small (pay and display) Shipley Bridge car park.

From the car park, follow the wide track upstream towards Avon Dam and you’re immediately alongside the river, with small waterfalls, cascades and boulders within a minute or two. Be careful around the river as the rocks can be very slippery!

Best conditions and tips

• Overcast or lightly diffused light keeps glare off wet rocks and helps long exposures.

• Visit after a spell of rain for more water.

• Use a polariser to cut reflections on the water and deepen colours in moss and rock.

• Try a tripod and shutter speeds around half to one second for silky flow, and a faster one if you want to keep texture in the water.

2. Burrator Reservoir

Where is it?

Burrator is reached on minor roads south of Yelverton, most often via the B3212 from Yelverton then following signs to Burrator Reservoir. There are several car parks around the water and lay-bys near the dam.

You can shoot from the dam itself, from the shore very close to the road, or with a short wander into the surrounding woodland.

Best conditions and tips

• Calm days, especially misty mornings are great for reflections of the trees and surrounding hills.

• Autumn gives you colour in the woods; winter brings stark shapes and low light.

• A polariser helps manage reflections and bring out detail in the water and sky.

• Look for simple, graphic compositions using the curve of the dam, the line of the shoreline, or overhanging branches as a frame.

3. Merrivale stone row

Where is it?

Merrivale stone row lies directly off the B3357 between Tavistock and Princetown, near to the pub. There are obvious lay-bys on the moorland side of the road where you can park, with the stone rows and standing stones a short, mostly level walk away.

Best conditions and tips

• Low, side light at sunrise or sunset picks out texture in the stones and surrounding grass.

• Broken cloud or a moody sky works well for silhouettes of the stones against the horizon.

• A wide-angle lens lets you exaggerate the leading line of the row; get low and close to the nearest stone.

4. Combestone Tor and lone tree (near Hexworthy)

Where is it?

Combestone Tor is reached from the minor road between Dartmeet and Hexworthy, not far from Venford Reservoir, with a small car park adjacent to the tor. From there it’s only a short walk to the rocks and the well-known lone tree.

Best conditions and tips

• Early or late in the day for side light and a bit of warmth on the granite and tree, alternatively stormy skies work well too.

• Mist in the Dart valley below can be superb if you’re lucky.

• Use the tree as a strong subject: shoot it against the sky, or frame it between foreground rocks.

• A polariser can help deepen the sky and separate clouds if you’re shooting wider views.

5. Emsworthy Mire (between Haytor and Widecombe)

Where is it?

Emsworthy Mire is accessed from a small parking area off the minor road that runs between the B3387 (Haytor / Bovey Tracey road) and Widecombe-in-the-Moor. From the car, clear paths lead gently across to the red-roofed barn and surrounding fields.

Best conditions and tips

• Late spring for bluebells around the barn and scattered trees; overcast light avoids harsh contrast.

• In other seasons, look for isolated hawthorns and dry-stone walls to anchor a composition.

• Keep the camera low to make the most of flowers or grass in the foreground.

• A polariser is useful here for bringing out colour in foliage and managing sky contrast.

6. Higher Meavy Bridge (near Meavy)

Where is it?

Higher Meavy Bridge lies close to the village of Meavy, south of the B3212 between Yelverton and Princetown. You can reach it via narrow lanes from Meavy or nearby Clearbrook, with roadside parking in the area.

The road itself goes over the stone bridge with the River Meavy below, and from the small car park there is easy access to the riverbank.

Best conditions and tips

• Overcast days or light drizzle give rich greens and reduce bright highlights on the water.

• After rain, the river has more character for long exposures, but watch your footing on wet rocks.

• Use a polariser to tame reflections and see into the water.

• Try shooting from low down beside (or in) the river, using the bridge as a frame or backdrop.

7. Wheal Betsy (A386 north of Tavistock)

Where is it?

Wheal Betsy’s engine house ruin stands beside the A386 between Tavistock and Okehampton, near the village of Mary Tavy. There is a small lay-by almost opposite the ruin, so you step out of the car and you’re effectively on location, but be careful of crossing the busy (and fast) road.

Best conditions and tips

• Suits dramatic skies and changeable weather; stormy clouds behind the ruin look excellent.

• Late light from the west can skim across the building and surrounding hillside.

• Keep compositions simple: clean shapes of the ruin against the sky, or include the sweeping hillside for context.

8. Windy Post Cross and leat (near Merrivale)

Where it is

Park at Pork Hill car park on the B3357 between Tavistock and Merrivale. From the car park, follow the clear path heading north‑east across the open moor and you’ll soon see Windy Post Cross and the leat on the gently sloping ground below Cox Tor.

Best conditions and tips

• Golden hour light warms the granite and lifts texture in the grass and water.

• Overcast days are ideal for closer studies of the leat and small waterfall without harsh highlights.

• A polariser helps manage reflections on the water and deepen colours in sky and foliage.

• Use the leat as a leading line towards the cross and, for wider scenes, include distant tors on the skyline for context.

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About Gary Holpin Photography

As a professional photographer based in Devon, my journey began along the stunning South West Coast Path. Disappointed with my initial attempts to capture its beauty, I embarked on a second 630-mile journey, this time dedicated to mastering photography. Today, I'm a nationally acclaimed photographer with award-winning landscape photos.

I specialize in providing top-notch property photography, business photography, and drone photography services to businesses across the South West. Additionally, I offer comprehensive photography training courses tailored for both businesses and individuals. Whether you're looking to enhance your corporate image or improve your personal photography skills, my training programs are designed to help you capture stunning images.

As an award-winning and widely published photographer, I frequently share my passion for photography and Devon through engaging talks at local camera clubs and community groups. My expertise spans the entire South West region, ensuring that clients from Devon, Dorset & Somerset benefit from high-quality photography services and training.