What is letterboxing?
Letterboxing is a recreational activity involving individuals or small groups of people walking over Dartmoor, and using predetermined clues and navigational skills to locate boxes placed on the moor by others.
These boxes normally contain a visitors' book and a rubber stamp. On finding the box, hunters use the stamp to record the find in their own books or on a series of cards, and then mark the visitors' book in the box with their own personal stamps.
There are many letterboxes placed on Dartmoor, the majority of which are hard to find. Collecting letterbox stamp impressions is an enjoyable and challenging pastime.

When did letterboxing begin?
Letterboxing started on Dartmoor in the middle of the 19th century. In 1854, James Perrott of Chagford set up a small cairn at Cranmere Pool on north Dartmoor; in it he put a glass jar where visitors who had ventured to this lonely, bleak spot could leave their visiting cards.
Further letterboxes were established at Taw Marsh (1894), Ducks Pool (1938), Fur Tor (1951) and Crow Tor (1962). To reach any of these locations represented and still represents a significant achievement.
The popularity of letter boxing has since grown. The last 20 years in particular have seen a great increase in the number of letterboxes on Dartmoor and in the number of people taking part. Letterboxes are now often placed in much more accessible locations, closer to the road and to car parks.

Who goes letterboxing?
Anybody from all walks of life and of all ages can letterboxing. The activity often introduces children to the joys of exploring Dartmoor. Letterboxing improves navigation skills, is good for health and fitness and helps to instil an appreciation of the special qualities of Dartmoor.

Does letterboxing cause any problems or damage?
Under the 1995 Enviroment Act, National Parks are designated for the purposes of: ·  conserving and enhancing the natural beauty wildlife and cultural heritage of the National Parks

    ·   promoting opportunities for the understanding and enjoyment of the special qualities of the National Parks by the public.
It is important that everybody visiting Dartmoor, whether to walk, cycle, horse ride, letterbox or take part in any other activity, should recognise that National Parks are very special places designated for their great natural beauty, nature conservation value and cultural heritage. Consequently, all users should take responsibility for their own actions when visiting Dartrnoor.
Letterboxing is an enjoyable pastime within the National Park. However, with the increase in both the numbers of letterboxes and those taking part, there is potential for damage to the vulnerable moorland landscape.
Because of the nature of letterboxing -- often involving continuous searching and rummaging over a limited area --livestock, wildlife and habitats can be disturbed, as too can historic or archaeological features. Continual trampling can also cause local damage to the surface of the moorland vegetation. This in turn can affect the grazing of livestock and therefore the rights and interests of owners and commoners.
For these reasons, Dartmoor National Park Authority, the Letterbox 100 Club and those representing the interests of landowners and graziers of Dartmoor request that you follow the guidance outlined in this leaflet at all times when letterboxing. The guidance contains matters of safety, relevant by-laws, actions to avoid causing damage, and also useful hints: your co--operation is much appreciated and needed.