Top Things to do in Dartmoor National Park
What to do and see in Dartmoor National Park, England: The Best Things to do
Discover the best top things to do in Dartmoor National Park, United Kingdom including Grimspound, Buckfast Butterfly Farm and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary, River Dart Country Park, Okehampton Castle, Pennywell Farm, Tavistock Pannier Market, The Granite Way, The Jolly Roger, National Park Visitor Centre - Haytor, Dartmoor Railway.
Restaurants in Dartmoor National Park
1. Grimspound
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 56 reviews
Reviewed By CanBrit1
We re-visit Grimspound every few years because it's probably the best example of an Iron Age settlement in easy reach of a road. The wall is intact. The house outlines with the draft-excluding shell shapes show how peoples of that time lived on the moor. Walk up to the neighbouring tor to get a better view. More adventurous walkers park at the Warren Inn and talk the trail across the moor. If you only visit one ancient site on Dartmoor, make it Grimspound.
2. Buckfast Butterfly Farm and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,966 reviews
We are a small, friendly and very different visit for all the family. Run by a small dedicated team we aim to make your visit educational and fun. You can enjoy and learn about our tropical butterflies in the specially designed habitat of which you become part. You not only see the butterflies but feel the rainforest atmosphere that they enjoy as you see their amazing life cycle unfold.In the Otter Sanctuary there are three species of otter to see, our native British otter, the playful Asian short clawed otters and the large North American river otters who love to show off. Our keeper is on hand to explain all about the otters to visitors, some are here for breeding, some for retirement, some just for fun and some because they are unsuitable to be returned to the wild.Make sure to bring your camera.
Reviewed By DaveWebbSouthMolton - South Molton, United Kingdom
A cheap, value for money attraction. We have been several times and always found all the staff there informative and very helpful. We particularly like the fact that it is left to be natural which is very important for otters as it replicates their natural environment. well stocked shop with a good selection of goods on sale including some gorgeous canvas photographs of the otters there. The keepers passion for the animals there excels during the otter feeding times and its obviously a love and passion rathe than a job - well done to all of them there for providing what can only be described as a great visit attraction for less than a tenner each!
3. River Dart Country Park
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 581 reviews
Set in 90 acres of parkland within Dartmoor National Park, the River Dart Country Park is one of Devon’s best-loved family tourist attractions and campsites. The park is packed with activities, so get here early for a great day out, or stay longer, and explore Devon, from our award-winning campsite and holiday park!
Reviewed By JMMF89 - Exeter, United Kingdom
Having visited River Dart Country Park last year on a school trip for one day, I decided to book again for two days as there was so much more to do! It was brilliant. On the first day, half of the group did the high ropes course whilst the other half explored the glorious site. It’s beautifully kept, well signposted and well staffed such that letting them roam is no stress at all! All students (11-14) loved it; on a hot day, what could be better than jumping in and out of the cold river with your friends? Lunch consisted of generously filled sandwiches, crisps, chocolate, fruit and a bottle of water. Plus there’s a great shop filled with exciting sweets/ice creams for the kids to buy which, of course, they did. When we returned the next day, half of our group did zorbing and zip wiring while the other half did raft building. Again, a great time was had by all! The staff were very encouraging and kind to those who struggled with the heights. All in all, the CRS adventures staff, as well as the River Dart team, were so accommodating and so professional that the day was made a pleasure. They even let staff have a go at the activities, which is great! Will keep returning to this place time and again, and would definitely recommend to families and schools alike!
4. Okehampton Castle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 238 reviews
The remains of the largest castle in Devon, in a stunning setting on a wooded spur above the rushing River Okement. Begun soon after the Norman Conquest as a motte and bailey castle with a stone keep, it was converted into a sumptuous residence in the 14th century by Hugh Courtenay, Earl of Devon, much of whose work survives. After the last Courtenay owner fell foul of Henry VIII in 1538, it declined into an allegedly haunted ruin.
Reviewed By lozlolly87 - Dartford, United Kingdom
Amazing ruins, views and a lovely woodland walk. Visited with my son, not many people so we could walk round and view at our own pace, we loved looking round and working out what was what, the woodland walk was a lovely way to finish off, at the views of the castle at the end are stunning.
5. Pennywell Farm
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,183 reviews
All the Fun of the Farm A visit to multi award winning Pennywell Farm is packed full of animals, activities, shows and displays. It’s the biggest activity farm in the South West and there’s something new happening every hour, just listen for the bell. See for yourself why Pennywell has been awarded Best Visitor Attraction in the Devon Tourism Awards for the 2nd consecutive year! Your visit begins with a warm welcome in the main farmyard where you can have a look at the activity board to see what’s going on. Take a snap on your smartphone to make sure you don’t miss a single thing! Then you can join in with fabulous farm activities like goat milking, ferret racing, deer feeding, egg collecting and much, much more. Home to the world famous Pennywell Miniature pigs, we promise that you will never have experienced anything quite like the phenomenon that is Pennywell pig racing. Come and cheer on your favourite porker in this truly unique event.
Reviewed By AliGilly - Newton Abbot, United Kingdom
We visited Pennywell with our 6 and 11 year old. We had last visited 5 years ago. It was a fantastic day with activities every half hour. It meant there was not much time to try out some of the other things on offer but we wanted to make the most of the more ‘hands-on’ experiences. We arrived at 10.15am and left as the farm was closing at 5pm...we could have easily spent a few more hours here. We cuddled baby pigs, Guinea pigs, rats, bottle fed baby goats, milked a goat, collected eggs, met a hedgehog, watched ferret racing and pig racing...the kids loved the red rocket ride and tractor and trailer ride...they also loved the assault course...my sons highlight was walking a goat which was so much fun...there was also an indoor bouncy castle area that went down a great. Our farmer Becca was amazing...informative, friendly and making sure everyone got a chance to do the activities...we also loved Izzy on the tractor ride. The show with Mr Phil was hilarious... What a great family day out with lots of memories made...thanks Pennywell. I’m so pleased that you have not lost your charm or family feel which was there when I visited as a child myself...
6. Tavistock Pannier Market
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 562 reviews
Situated at the very heart of the historic town of Tavistock is the ancient Pannier Market. A range of quality stalls and services available all year round and a fantastic tourist attraction.Tavistock Pannier Market is a wonderful historic market with over 900 years of history. It is an indoor market which is heated on cold days. 5 day permanent traders are situated around the market with the centre traders changing throughout the week.Open Tuesday to Saturday, 9am - 4:30pm
Reviewed By davidwB6194TR - Downderry, United Kingdom
Everything you could expect - and very much more! Allow an hour or more and browse slowly and enjoy every minute .... you will find everything you could expect and very much more - especially fudge, cheese, olives, pet things, extravagances - and much more!!
7. The Granite Way
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 229 reviews
Reviewed By CTQO - Okehampton, United Kingdom
Great bike ride, wonderful views (especially at Meldon), and topped off perfectly with a sandwich and drink at the Castle Inn Lydford.
8. The Jolly Roger
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 55 reviews
This is a showroom of life size 3D models. All the models are for sale and we welcome careful visitors to take a look around. Our showrooms are free, and our models range from tigers, racing cars to famous faces. Do come and take a look around.
Reviewed By Quenastoise - Cornwall, United Kingdom
We like to do this walk e dry once in awhile: park at Parke (National Trust), cross the woods and enjoy the riverside, cross the park at the Scouts’ hut and head for the Jolly Rogers for a rocky road from the converted Airstream or the ice cream com the hut. The Jolly Rogers itself houses a collection of various life sized models inside and outside in the court, including a collection of shiny bikes by the exit. Shame we didn’t spot the collection box as would have contributed to support this amazing place !
9. National Park Visitor Centre - Haytor
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 141 reviews
National Park Visitor Centre, Haytor is staffed by knowledgeable local people who will be pleased to help you with your visit to the area. There is an extensive range of maps, guide books and publications about Dartmoor available at the Information Centre. There is also a range of useful items for the outdoor enthusiast and a variety of gifts, stationery and local products that are available to purchase. Haytor is easily accessed from the A38. The road winds steeply up from Bovey Tracey but once on the moor the spectacular view of Haytor is not to be missed. There are good car parks in this area and toilet facilities are available next to the Visitor Centre. There are a variety of both short and longer walks with lots of local interest and the centre staff will be pleased to help you plan a suitable route. The popular village of Widecombe-in-the-Moor is also only a short drive away.
Reviewed By SteveS783 - Boscastle, United Kingdom
Inspiring Tor, with stunning views, mysterious stone pools and strange carved symbols. Once an iron age fort, with ruined hut circles and pounds close by.
10. Dartmoor Railway
Overall Ratings
4.0 based on 182 reviews
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