Dartmoor is set to become the 'must see' destination this year for fans of War Horse, much of which was filmed on the moor. The inspiring locations included Haytor, Combestone Tor and Farm, Ringmore Down, Venford Reservoir, Nattor, Bonehill, Hexworthy Bridge, Cadover Bridge and Brisworthy as well as the village of Meavy and Ditsworthy Warren House.

War Horse is the moving story of a Devon farm boy who joins the army to search for his horse Joey after he is sold into the cavalry and shipped to France during the first world war.

It was inspired by the experiences of Captain Arthur Budgett, who the author of the original War Horse story, Michael Morpurgo, met at the Duke of York pub in Iddesleigh in the 1980s. He enthralled the author with stories of his life with his horse in the cavalry during the first world war.

Steven Spielberg, who spent many weeks filming on the moor in 2010, praised the beauty of the Dartmoor landscape when he was recently interviewed by a national newspaper.

'I have never before, in my long and eclectic career, been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty as I experienced filming War Horse on Dartmoor,' he said.

On February 19, Dartmoor Rangers will hold a special three-hour walk of War Horse film locations starting from Gutter Tor. Tel 01822 890414 to book a place.