Dartmoor Letterboxing

Letterboxing is an outdoor pursuit with similarities to orienteering.

A small pot (the letterbox) containing a stamp and visitors' book is hidden on the moor, and a clue is written to lead others to its position. Clues may be as simple as a map reference and list of compass bearings, or may be more cryptic.

When a letterbox is found, the letterboxer takes a copy of the stamp, as well as leaving their own personal print in the visitors' book.

Letterboxing began on Dartmoor but is now popular in areas all over the world.

Letterboxing began in 1854 when a Dartmoor guide named James Perrott placed a glass bottle at Cranmere Pool, and encouraged hikers that made the considerable walk to the site to leave a calling card as a record of their achievement. By the early 1900's a tin box had replaced the bottle and a visitors book was provided.

In 1937 the Western Morning News erected a granite box at the site, and in 1938 this was followed by a second structure at Ducks pool, which was built in memorial of William Crossing by a group known as the Dobson’s Moormen.

For more information see dartmoorletterboxing.org or download Dartmoor National Parks Factsheet on Letterboxing