Rocks, Resources and Scenery

Rocks, resources and scenery

Tourism in a granite area: Dartmoor

Granite is a tough and resistant igneous rock that forms upland areas in South West England. The largest and most popular of these granite outcrops is Dartmoor. Its popularity is largely due to the fact that it is easily reached from other parts of the UK (see Figure 1).

Dartmoor National Park was formed in 1951, in recognition of the natural beauty of the area (see Figure 2). The Dartmoor National Park Authority (created in 1974) has a duty to balance the need for protection and conservation of the area with providing opportunities for public access and enjoyment. This is quite a challenge.

Figure 1. Location of Dartmoor

Figure 2. Sharp Tor on Dartmoor

Attractions and opportunities for tourism

Dartmoor tourist board’s website (www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk) shows the range of activities available on Dartmoor, from the adventurous to the historical and cultural. Some of Dartmoor’s attractions can be seen on Figure 3.

Figure 3. Attractions on Dartmoor

Adventurous activities

Much of Dartmoor is rugged, wild and windswept (see Figure 2), which makes it a popular destination for people keen to enjoy the natural beauty of the ‘great outdoors’. Horse riding, walking and mountain biking are popular activities on Dartmoor and there are a large number of stables, bridleways and over 500 miles of footpaths that criss-cross the moor. Indeed, its conditions are so challenging that it is used for army training, the annual Ten Tors endurance race and numerous Duke of Edinburgh Award expeditions. Other adventurous activities on Dartmoor include rock climbing, bouldering and orienteering.

Water-based attractions

In addition to experiencing nature at its most extreme, Dartmoor has many other attractions. Granite is an impermeable rock, which explains why there are so many rivers and reservoirs. The River Dart is one of many that are popular with people who enjoy water sports such as fishing, white-water rafting and canoeing. Reservoirs, such as Burrator Reservoir near Tavistock, are also used for fishing and sailing, and there are also opportunities for more informal activities such as walking and picnicking.

Historical and cultural attractions

Dartmoor has a rich cultural and archaeological heritage. There are thousands of ancient monuments, including stone circles, burial chambers and menhirs (standing stones), as well as churches, historic buildings and remnants of Dartmoor’s industrial past. One rather quirky activity that can be traced back to Dartmoor is ‘letterboxing’ that dates from 1854 and is still popular there to this day. This combines elements of orienteering, art, and puzzle solving to find cleverly concealed ‘letterboxes’, rather like an orienteering treasure hunt.

For those less keen to engage in adventurous activities, there are numerous gardens, arts and craft centres and several National Trust properties, such as Castle Drogo, built high above the gorge of the River Teign (see Figure 3). Okehampton Castle in the north of Dartmoor is described as one of the country’s most romantic ruins. The House of Marbles, a working glass and games factory near Bovey Tracey (see Figure 3), is extremely popular with families, particularly on wet days!

Advantages and disadvantages of tourism

With over 10 million people visiting Dartmoor every year, the local area benefits greatly from tourism. Many people work in the tourist sector, in hotels, guesthouses, cafés and gift shops and as guides and activity leaders. Artists and craftspeople benefit, as do local farmers, who have a ready market for their produce in hotels, cafés and restaurants. Shops and other services in villages and towns in the area also benefit from the influx of visitors, all keen to spend money while on holiday.

However, tourism can also bring its problems. Physical damage and erosion can result from the over-use of footpaths and bridleways. Mountain biking can be particularly damaging to paths and tracks. Thoughtless visitors may leave litter, which can harm wildlife and farm animals, as well as looking unsightly. They may leave farm gates open, or allow their dogs to cause anxiety to livestock. Traffic congestion is a real issue at peak times, as most of Dartmoor’s roads are narrow. Traffic congestion can lead to conflicts between tourists and local people. Also, tourism increases demand for housing in the area (people buying second homes or holiday lettings in villages), leading to higher house prices, which local people cannot afford.

Managing tourism on Dartmoor

Several organisations work together to manage tourism on Dartmoor. These include local county and district authorities, as well as the Dartmoor National Park Authority. The National Park Authority seeks to encourage sustainable tourism by promoting the use of locally sourced food, minimising waste, and conserving resources such as energy and water. Through careful and sensitive management, Dartmoor will continue to attract those in search of wild open spaces, attractive villages and places of interest to visit.

Activities

1 Study Figure 1.

a) What are the three forms of transport to Dartmoor available to you if you lived in London?

b) Describe the route that you would take, including road numbers, if you travelled from Sheffield to Dartmoor by car.

c) You wish to travel to Dartmoor by train. Which station should you travel to if you wish to visit south Dartmoor?

d) How does the map help to explain Dartmoor’s popularity as a tourist destination?

2 Study Figure 2.

a) How is this landscape attractive to tourists?

b) What activities are available to tourists here?

c) Can you suggest any potential conflicts that might arise between the local farmers and visitors?

d) What other outdoor adventurous activities are available to people visiting the wilder parts of Dartmoor such as the area shown in the photo?

3 Study the home page of the Dartmoor tourist board’s website. (To access this site, type www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk into your browser.)

a) Describe which groups of people the photos and catchphrases are aimed at.

b) Why do you think the Dartmoor Tourist Association is attempting to promote Dartmoor to such a broad group of people?

c) Suggest another photo that could be used. Describe the photo, write a short catchphrase and give a reason for your choice.

4 Draw up a table with two columns, one for the advantages of tourism and the other for the disadvantages. Work in pairs to list as many advantages and disadvantages of tourism on Dartmoor as you can.

5 What is meant by ‘sustainable tourism’? Do you think it is a good idea? Justify your answer.

6 Access the Dartmoor Tourist Association’s website. Look carefully through the attractions and make a list of five things that you would like to do if you visited Dartmoor. At least one of them must be suitable for a wet day as it often rains on Dartmoor! (To access this site type in www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk into your browser. On the home page, click on the ‘Things to do’ tab along the top. On the next screen click on ‘Attractions’.)

Useful websites

· www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk

Visit the Dartmoor Tourist Association’s website. Type in www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk into your browser. On the home page, click on the ‘Things to do’ tab along the top. You can make an online brochure on this site.

· www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk

Visit the Dartmoor National Park’s website. Type www.dartmoor-npa.gov.uk into to your browser to access the home page. Click on the ‘Learning about’ tab along the top of the page. On the next screen, click on ‘Printable Resources’ to obtain a list of factsheets and leaflets. Click on ‘Recreation and Tourism’ for more information about this topic.

Because Oxford University Press is not responsible for third party content online, there may be some changes to this material that are beyond our control. In order for us to ensure that the links referred to in this resource are as up to date and stable as possible, the websites provided are usually homepages with supporting instructions on how to reach the relevant pages if necessary.

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