Dartmoor National Park provided stunning locations for the filming of the new Spielberg blockbuster War Horse; the film tells the story of a Devon farm boy who braves the trenches in a search for his horse Joey after he is sent to France as an army horse during the First World War. You can experience the War Horse landscape with Dartmoor National Park Authority on a guided walk to a War Horse film location.
Specialist staff from the National Park Authority provided advice and assistance to the production team before and during the filming of War Horse, helping arrange filming permissions for the locations and providing Ranger assistance for access management. Historic buildings and archaeological advice was also provided by National Park staff during set construction. Steven Spielberg said of Dartmoor, ‘There’s no place like it in the world…..it’s pretty extraordinary country.’
If you want to be one of the first to experience the extraordinary War Horse landscape with a National Park Guide, there are two walks currently on offer.
On Saturday 21 January visit one of the main locations used on Dartmoor. Plenty to see and talk about on this walk as you take in the landscape which so inspired director Spielberg. As well as visiting Dartmoor locations used during the filming of War Horse, there is the chance to find out what life on Dartmoor would have been like during the First World War. This two and a half hour walk starts at 10.30 and visits the Gutter Tor area. Booking is essential: please telephone the High Moorland Visitor Centre on 01822 890414. The Centre is open Thursday – Sunday 10:30 – 15:30; call during these hours.
On Sunday 19 February there is another chance to visit this area on a three hour walk. The walk starts at 10.30 and booking is essential; telephone the High Moorland Visitor Centre on 01822 890414. The Centre is open Thursday – Sunday 10:30 – 15:30, please call during these hours. The distance covered is 3 miles (4.5 km).
On Saturday 17 March there is a special War Horse themed walk for children aged 5-12 years. This is a specially organised event for Ranger Ralph Club members only. Ranger Ralph meets on a regular basis and each activity is safely led by a Dartmoor National Park Ranger. Children who wish to join this walk will need to be Club Members; membership is just £5 per child per year. The club runs up to twelve outdoor events per year; all free to attend once you are a member. Ranger Ralph’s War Horse walk starts at 2pm and lasts for 2hrs – visit some of the locations used during the filming of War Horse and reflect on life on Dartmoor during the First World War. Bookings for this walk are being taken from 24 February 2012. To find out more about joining visit the Ranger Ralph Club page of the National Park Authority’s web site.
If you prefer to venture out on your own the National Park Authority produces a number of publications which will help you enjoy this inspiring landscape. Visit the National Park Authority’s online shop for the best selling Walks Around leaflets for Haytor and Princetown – taking you right into War Horse country.
There is also a superb selection of cycling opportunities which enable you to enjoy some of the War Horse locations; leaflets and maps are available. If you need some advice on where to go and what to do to make the most of your War Horse visit to Dartmoor – the Information Centres are there to help. For updates on Dartmooor National Park Authority’s War Horse programme visit the National Park Authority’s web site www.dartmoor.gov.uk and go to the special War Horse page.
Useful links
www.dartmoor.co.uk – the official tourism organisation with information on activities and everything else you could imagine you might want to do and see on Dartmoor.
www.dartmoor.co.uk/what-to-do/dartmoor-walking – walking routes with downloadable OS maps.
www.dartmoor.co.uk/about-dartmoor/war-horse-competition – information on War Horse.
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Since surviving shambolic camping trips as a youngster in the valleys of South Wales, John Traynor has gone on to walk, backpack, pedal, paddle and camp around the UK, Europe and much further afield.
He is an honorary life member of the Backpackers' Club and writes every month in Camping magazine. His wide experience and the lessons learned been condensed into the book Lightweight Camping published by Cicerone Press. 
