Dartmoor Sightseeing & Activities Guide

recommended places to visit and things to do on or near Dartmoor


 

Castle Drogo

Drewsteignton

  • historic house
  • -
  • garden
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • National Trust
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • antiques
  • -
  • art
  • -
  • furniture
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • nature
  • -
  • walking
  • -
  • wildlife

built Sir Edwin Lutyens, where family keepsakes sit alongside 17th Century tapestries with an Arts and Crafts inspired garden

  • leisure facility
  • -
  • natural landscape
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • cycling
  • -
  • nature
  • -
  • walking
  • -
  • wildlife

the park is packed with activities, from cycle trails to an adventure playground - fun for all ages

South Devon Railway

Buckfastleigh

  • tourist railway
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • all-weather attraction
  • -
  • open year round
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • film
  • -
  • transport
  • -
  • trains
  • -
  • TV

a seven mile former Great Western Railway branch line, built in 1872, running along the stunning valley of the River Dart between Buckfastleigh and Totnes

  • park
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • nature
  • -
  • walking
  • -
  • wildlife

this popular beauty spot is set within an ancient valley with numerous walking trails to the falls & through the woodland - indoor & woodland theatre - petting zoo - reptile house - events & activities - picnic area

Buckfast Abbey

Buckfastleigh

  • place of worship
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • open year round
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • architecture
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • religion

the Abbey Church, a spiritual haven for the many thousands of visitors who come each year, with bookshops and exhibitions of the Benedictine way of life

Buckland Abbey

Yelverton

  • historic house
  • -
  • garden
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • National Trust
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • antiques
  • -
  • architecture
  • -
  • art
  • -
  • furniture
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • nature
  • -
  • walking
  • -
  • wildlife

once the home to Sir Francis Drake with contemporary furnishings and artefacts, an impressive medieval Great Barn and extensive gardens

Dartmoor Zoo

Sparkwell

  • family-friendly
  • -
  • open year round
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • virtual tours
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • nature
  • -
  • wildlife

get up close and personal with the vast array of animals in 33 acres of woodland, from Chincha the Jaguar to Kelloggs the Corn Snake

Finch Foundry

Sticklepath

  • museum
  • -
  • something different!
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • National Trust
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • history

The doorway to Dartmoor's industrial past with the sights, sounds and smells of three thundering water wheels powering massive hammers, shears and sharpening stone

Lydford Gorge

Lydford

  • landmark
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • National Trust
  • -
  • café
  • -
  • shop
  • -
  • nature
  • -
  • walking
  • -
  • wildlife

there are a range of walks available to suit different abilities and time scales however sturdy footwear is recommended for all trails

Ashburton Museum

Ashburton

  • museum
  • -
  • family-friendly
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • antiques
  • -
  • geology
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • local history

a local museum with exhibitions of - Dartmoor artefacts - local history & geology - posters, documents - also includes the Paul Endacott North American Indian Collection

  • museum
  • -
  • free admission
  • -
  • seasonal opening
  • -
  • history
  • -
  • transport
  • -
  • trains

situated in the old station building - displays a varied collection reflecting the history of the town & area - exhibits include the remains of a 16th century pottery kiln, a GWR Brake Van & mine artefacts