Probably since man learnt to speak there have been people sufficiently inspired by the numerous facets of Dartmoor to express themselves in verse. Some were famous poets and others were ordinary folk, all of whom have down the centuries left a literary legacy for us today. By no means has Dartmoor ceased to inspire and modern poets are constantly adding their work. These pages include but a few of the many poems and verses that have been penned, some old and some new. If anybody knows of any verses or has written a poem that they would like included in these pages please feel free to send them in and I will post them up.

What hills are those, deserted, brown and bare,

Whose mouldering crags the spoils of Time declare ?

Dartmoor ! thy stately presence I perceive,

Seen first at morn, and lingering last with eve ;

Thy Rugged pinnacles, unfolded clear,

Rising in solemn grandeur, wild and drear.

Joseph Cottle