Remembering Queen Elizabeth II’s historic ties to Dartmoor and Devon

Communities across Devon have today reflected on the lasting connections the late monarch held with the region.

Although the Queen did not have a personal residence on Dartmoor, the moors and surrounding landscapes always impressed the royals.

Dartmoor and Exmoor were once designated Royal Forests, serving as hunting grounds for monarchs, cementing early royal ties to the area.

A particularly poignant connection lies in Dartmouth, when in 1939, a young Princess Elizabeth, then aged 13, visited the Royal Naval College.

It was here she first met Prince Philip, sparking a lifelong partnership.

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The Queen visited Devon numerous times, with the region holding a special place in her heart due to the warm welcome she consistently received from urban and rural communities.

Her first visit to Devon as Queen was in 1952 for the Royal Agricultural Show at Stover, near Newton Abbot.

During the Silver Jubilee in 1977, Her Majesty visited Torbay, Exeter and Plymouth, marking a significant royal presence in Devon .

The Golden Jubilee in 2002 further reinforced the Queen’s bond with Devon; she and the Duke of Edinburgh made goodwill visits to the region as part of a national tour

Beyond visits by the Queen herself, the 17th-century cottage of Terence Cuneo in Manaton, now listed, was once home to the artist who painted the Queen's coronation.

As we mark this anniversary, Dartmoor stands as a quiet tribute to the Queen’s historic and emotional links with Devon.