Things To Do
One of the reasons our cottages are so popular with couples and families alike, is our location. Tucked away from the hustle and bustle of the outside world, yet in easy reach of a wide range of activities to suit most tastes.
Below is an overview of just some of the key places and activities in Devon that you may wish to try during your stay at our holiday cottages.
- Local walks
- Cycling routes
- Houses, gardens and places of interest
- Beaches
- Family attractions
- Markets
- Fishing
- Spa treatments
- For the foodies
- Image gallery
Local walks
Old Princetown Railway
Right on our doorstep is the Old Princetown Railway Line, there are no tracks, just a nice flat path meandering across the valley and towards the higher moor with fantastic views of the changing Dartmoor landscape. The railway used to serve the local quarries, and some quarries still remain including Foggintor Quarry which is particularly impressive.
Merrivale Prehistoric Settlement
Dartmoor is rich in prehistoric remains, and the group of monuments at Merrivale is one of the finest on the moor. Side-by-side here are the remains of a Bronze Age settlement and a complex of ritual sites, including three stone rows, a stone circle, standing stones and a number of cairns – earth mounds associated with burials. The monuments were probably built over a long period, between about 2500 BC and 1000 BC.
Explore a Tor
Tors are granite outcrops and there are over 150 on Dartmoor. Many are easy to walk up with no special climbing skills required and the views are outstanding. Some of our favourite tors are the Great Staple Tor and Sheepstor, offering stunning views of the nearby Burrator reservoir.
Lydford Gorge, Lydford (National Trust)
The deepest gorge in the South West. The river Lyd at this stretch is fast flowing, and the gorge features two ‘must see’ attractions - the White Lady Waterfall and Devil's Cauldron.
Cycling routes
Granite & Gears – Princetown Railway
Right on our doorstep, a relatively easy flat and traffic-free route, along the disused railway line with fantastic views over Dartmoor with its ever-charging scenery, from wooded valleys to space-like higher moorland.
Drakes Trail
Mostly traffic-free route with the magnificent Magpie Viaduct, Gem bridge, Grenofen tunnel (constructed by Brunel) and Plymbridge Woods (National Trust). Pop into the Dartmoor bakery in Yelverton en-route for some tasty supplies.
Rockin Bikes
If you don’t own your own bike Rockin Bikes offer a cycle hire service.
Houses, gardens and places of interest
Buckland Abbey (National Trust)
Founded in 1278 by the Cistercian monks, the last Cistercian foundation in England. After the monastery was disbanded by Henry VIII in the English Reformation, Buckland was purchased by Sir Richard Grenville, former Marshal of Calais, whose grandson then sold it to Sir Francis Drake. The house stayed in the Drake family until 1948 when it passed to the National Trust.
The Garden House
Viewed as ones of the finest gardens in the UK.
Morwellham Quay
World Heritage Site on the bank of the beautiful River Tamar. Take a look inside the historic boat ‘Garlandstone’, then tour the village and see a victorian school, miners cottages and shops; then take a ride on the train into a copper mine plus many more activities. Why not visit Ruth’s Cottage, location of the BBC series Edwardian Farm.
Saltram (National Trust)
One of Britain's best preserved examples of an early Georgian house and retains much of its original decor. It contains a large collection of paintings, including several by Sir Joshua Reynolds. Saltram House was used as one of several local settings for the film ‘Sense and Sensibility’.
Beaches
Wembury beach (17 miles)
Sandy at low tide and plenty of rock pools to explore. Wembury marine centre hosts rock pool rambles for kids during the Summer.
Kingsand & Cawsand (31 miles by car, or a lovely ferry ride from Plymouth Barbican running from Easter to the last Sunday in October)
Facing east into Plymouth Sound, the pleasant villages of Kingsand and Cawsand are well worth a visit for some fine scenery and there are gift shops and cafes.
At Kingsand there is a sand and shingle beach separated into two by rocks. At Cawsand there is also a sand and shingle beach with rock pools to explore. South of Cawsand there is good walking around Rame Head via the coast path. To the north of Kingsand there is a small sandy beach called Sandway Cellar, which is accessible via a 10 minute walk along the rocky foreshore or via the coast path.
Bigbury-on-Sea (25 miles)
Good family beach with a large expanse of sand, which extends at low tide to Burgh Island. At high tide a sea tractor, the only one in the world, featured in the Agatha Christie’s Poirot film, transports passengers to and from the island. There is a nice beach café serving delicious veggie burgers and local ice-cream, plus The Pilchard Inn pub is on Burgh Island.
Family attractions
Tamar Trails - Tree Surfers (10 miles)
Located in the Tamar Valley is a network of trails for walking or cycling and a range of outdoor activities including canoeing, high ropes courses (one for adults and a separate junior course for 4-12 year olds), zip wire, leap of faith (free fall from 40 ft treetop platform with a soft landing) and archery, plus a café when you need to recover.
The National Marine Aquarium, Plymouth
A great attraction for a rainy day, there is a large two storey tank with sharks and rays, plus lots of smaller ones with a variety of other sea creatures. There is a café and a small soft play area.
Cholwell Riding Stables
Perfectly located to ride straight out onto Dartmoor, Cholwell Riding Stables cater for all types of rider from the complete novice to the most experienced and have a wide selection of quality, fit and well-mannered horses. They take children out on the rides from the age of five. For the younger rider they can provide a little pony ride.
Dartmoor Zoo
A Unique experience for the whole family and the real story behind the film ‘We bought a Zoo’.
Markets
Tavistock Farmers Market
The market takes place in Bedford Square, Tavistock on the 2nd, 4th and 5th Saturdays of each month. All products sold have been grown, reared, caught, brewed, pickled, baked, smoked or processed by the stall holders.
Tavistock Pannier Market
The Market is open daily Tuesday to Saturday between the hours of 9am to 4:30pm. There are a variety of stalls from antiques, books and crafts to vegetables and sweets.
Fishing
Rivers Walkham, Tavy and Plym
Brown Trout on all our rivers may be taken from 15 March until 30 September and Sea Trout may be taken from 3 March until 30 September. On the Tavy and Walkham, Salmon may be caught between 1 March and 14 October.
Burrator Reservoir
A stunning location to relax and fish for Stocked Rainbow Trout, Stocked and Wild Brown Trout (catch and release on brown trout). Fly fishing only.
Plymouth Boat Trips
River Tamar cruises and fishing trips for either individual bookings or private charters.
Spa treatments
Gaia Spa at Boringdon Hall
Indoor swimming pool (heated to 30°C), hydrotherapy pool (with an outdoor swim through with countryside views, heated to 37° C), gym, Finnish sauna, crystal salt steam room, laconium herbal sauna, traditional steam room and 12 dedicated treatment rooms (including two double rooms).
For the foodies
Dartmoor Bakery, Yelverton
Delicious sweet and savoury swirls, bread, properly make tea, coffee, hot chocolate, cakes and local ice-cream.
The Game Larder, Yelverton
Local cheeses, cued meats, pasties, pies and scotch eggs, bread, veg, cakes and a hot food counter serving a full Sunday roast to eat in or take away.
Plymouth Gin Distillery, Plymouth
The oldest working gin distillery in England. Plymouth Gin Original has been distilled using the same blend of six exotic botanicals, soft Dartmoor water and pure grain alcohol since 1793.
The Cornish Arms, Tavistock
This is our personal favourite. One of the top gastropubs in the UK serving amazing gastro pub food cooked to perfection. If you've guessed... we like it!
Gidleigh Park Restaurant, Chagford
Their two Michelin stars speak for themselves. This formal restaurant in a beautifully restored Edwardian house set in 100 acres of parkland is somewhere to celebrate that special occasion.
Image gallery
Walk or cycle along the old railway line to Princetown - just a couple of fields above us
Walk up to Sheepstor for a lovely view of Burrator Reservoir
Buckland Abbey - historical home of Francis Drake
Visit Mothecombe beach
Ride the Sea Tractor at low tide at Bigbury-on-Sea
Tavistock is a charming town with a daily market and a mix of boutique shops and restaurants
The Church of St. Michael de Rupe (St. Michael of the Rock), Brentor, is an iconic 12th century church on top of the Tor, visible for miles around. The views from the church are fantastic.
Take a ferry from Plymouth Barbican to a small Cornish village of Cawsand
Pew Tor
Meet a Dartmoor Pony
Tavistock has lots of lovely independent shops
Kingsand and Cawsand
Foggintor Quarry
Morwellham Quay - World Heritage Site - a perfectly preserved Victorian mining village with its own river port, boat, mine, railway, shops and school
Horse Riding on Dartmoor for beginners and experienced riders
Portwrinkle Beach, Whitsand Bay
Play Tavistock golf course and enjoy the spectacular scenery
Cothele - a mediaeval manor house and quay
Burgh Island
