Dartmoor parking charges: Why locals and visitors are split over paying to park

Parking charges at Dartmoor beauty spots are dividing opinion, with some locals calling the fees unfair while others say they are essential to maintaining the national park.

The Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) confirmed that charges apply at a small number of car parks it owns.

Revenue generated from parking is used to support conservation projects, maintain trails and provide visitor facilities such as toilets and signage.

A spokesperson for the DNPA said: “Parking income helps us to keep Dartmoor special by supporting our conservation projects, maintaining paths, trails and visitor facilities.”

The authority sets its fees annually during its public budget-setting meetings.

The schedule for 2025–26 was agreed at a full authority meeting in February.

All agendas are published in advance and are available to the public via the DNPA website.

However, the DNPA only owns a limited number of Dartmoor’s car parks.

Many others are managed by local councils or private landowners, meaning payment arrangements and upkeep vary across the moor.

Some residents believe the charges are unnecessary or poorly managed.

Kayles Thorne from Tavistock said: “I drive away from any car park I have to pay for, if I can. We already pay road tax – the local area is expensive enough as it is.”

Mark Turnball, also from Tavistock, said: “Absolute rip-off. Most car parks are not well maintained for the money they generate and most of the time cars are broken into. Where does that money go if the car parks are not maintained?”

Others raised concerns about unreliable machines and the stress of digital-only payments.

“I don’t mind paying,” said Barbara Clark from Tavistock, “but hate the stress when the apps don’t work and the machines won’t accept cash or card. It spoils a day out.”

Several people expressed frustration that residents don’t receive any parking concessions.

“Why isn't there a discounted annual permit for locals?” asked Steve Myers from Bovey Tracey.

Suzanne Battershall, also from Bovey Tracey, said: “I feel, as someone who has lived in Devon for 35 years, that we shouldn’t have to pay for the pleasure of being out in nature.”

But not everyone was opposed. Some supported the idea of paying if the money is reinvested in the park.

“I pay and I think we should,” said Judy Jellard from Bovey Tracey.

Kirsty Roberts agreed: “If it directly pays for amenities like dog bins and public loos, then yes, of course.”

Caroline Bowden from Buckfastleigh said: “The point of parking charges was to encourage people to venture further away from ‘honeypot’ areas such as Haytor, to spread the impact of so many people flocking to one spot.

“It does cost a considerable amount to maintain the car parks – to resurface, pick up litter, move the boulders that define the parking areas and stop people parking on boggy land. Smash-and-grab thefts continue in the more remote informal parking areas, so perhaps it’s safer to park in the designated sites.”

Heather Laird-Ruocco added: “I'm reasonably happy to pay for parking on Dartmoor if there are facilities. If it's just a car park with nothing, then I object to paying.”

The debate highlights the challenge of balancing public access with conservation in one of the UK’s most iconic landscapes.

With varying opinions and rising visitor numbers, parking on Dartmoor remains a topic that many feel passionately about, and one unlikely to go away any time soon.