Dartmoor and Exmoor’s most highly rated activities, based on Google reviews 

Dartmoor Zoo and Dunster Castle and Watermill are the most popular activities in the South West’s national parks.

There are over 15 National Parks in the UK spread across England, Wales and Scotland. They are protected areas based on special qualities within their parameters, getting over 100 million visits every year. 

Each area is unique, filled with historic sites, breathtaking scenery, cycling trails, walking trails, water sports and even star gazing opportunities. 

To see which is the most popular national park in the UK, Coast & Country Hotel Collection has compiled data from Google reviews and uncovered which has the highest rating overall (on activities with a rating of 4 or more, that have 10 reviews or more).

Based on the research, activities in Dartmoor - which is famous for wild ponies, craggy landscapes, forests, rivers and wetlands - had a total review score of 183.6 based on 19,093 reviews

The most popular activity was Dartmoor Zoo, with 2.9k ratings and an average score of 4.4. The 30-acre wildlife park is just north of the village of Sparkwell, on the south-west edge of Dartmoor and has over 70 different animal species, including some endangered and critically endangered species.

Following this was Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves, with 2.8k ratings and an average score of 4.7 and Canonteign Falls with 1.6k ratings and an average score of 4.7. 

The top 10 most popular activities in Dartmoor (all activities with a rating of 4+, across 10 or reviews) were:

1. Dartmoor Zoo: 2.9k total reviews, 4.4 review score 

2. Kents Cavern Prehistoric Caves: 2878 total reviews, 4.7 review score 

3. Canonteign Falls: 1.6k total reviews, 4.7 review score 

4. Haytor Rocks Dartmoor: 1.3k total reviews, 4.8 review score

5. Becky Falls Ancient Woodland Park: 1.3k total reviews, 4.5 review score

6. National Trust - Buckland Abbey: 1.2k total reviews, 4.6 review score

7. National Trust - Plymbridge Woods: 1,095 total reviews, 4.8 review score

8. River Dart Country Park: 1,024 total reviews, 4.8 review score

9. Burrator Reservoir: 738 total reviews, 4.8 review score

10. The Meadows (Tavistock Park): 647 total reviews, 4.6 review score

Exmoor's most popular activity was the National Trust property Dunster Castle and Watermill. The former motte and bailey castle, now a country house, had 5.6k reviews and a total review score of 4.7. 

Second to this was Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway and Exmoor National Park itself. The top 10 most popular activities in Exmoor (all activities with a rating of 4+, across 10 or reviews) were:

1. National Trust - Dunster Castle and Watermill: 5662 total reviews, 4.7 review score

2. Lynton & Lynmouth Cliff Railway: 4685 total reviews, 4.7 review score

3. Exmoor National Park: 4503 total reviews, 4.8 review score

4. Exmoor Zoological and Conservation Centre: 2044 total reviews, 4.5 review score

5. Valley of Rocks: 1915 total reviews, 4.9 review score

6. Arlington Court and the National Trust Carriage Museum: 1545 total reviews, 4.6 review score

7. Watersmeet: 1012 total reviews, 4.7 review score

8. Heddon Valley: 656 total reviews, 4.8 review score

9. Tarr Steps Woodland National Nature Reserve: 474 total reviews, 4.8 review score

10. Glen Lyn Gorge: 380 total reviews, 4.5 review score

Paul FitzGerald, Portfolio Managing Director from Coast & Country Hotel Collection said: “The UK’s National Parks are filled with stunning lakes, hiking trails, towns and historical architecture which millions of people visit each year. A great way to work out what to see and do when spending time in these destinations is by looking at Google reviews from previous visitors.”

“Both Dartmoor and Exmoor District have some of the best scenery in the UK, so we’re not surprised that our research has revealed that they are amongst the nation's favourite National Parks. Coast & Country Hotel Collection has five amazing hotels in this area - Imperial Hotel, Tor Park Hotel, Torbay Hotel and Valley of Rocks Hotel - all of which are in the perfect locations to see all the top-rated activities.”