Top Things to do in Dartmoor National Park
What to do and see in Dartmoor National Park, England: The Best Things to do Good for Couples
Discover the best top things to do in Dartmoor National Park, United Kingdom including Dartmoor's Daughter, Lukesland Gardens, Alder Vineyard, Dartmoor Whisky Distillery, Dartmeet River Junction, Buckfast Abbey, Buckland Abbey, National Trust, Buckfast Butterfly Farm and Dartmoor Otter Sanctuary, Fernworthy Reservoir, Burrator Reservoir.
Restaurants in Dartmoor National Park
1. Dartmoor's Daughter
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 271 reviews
Walks & events on Dartmoor for adults, families & children.Activities include walking, navigation, dowsing, archaeology & history, nature trails, letterboxing,, etc. Private group guide available. Eric Hemery was 'the' 1950s Dartmoor guide & acknowledged as 'Dartmoor's leading writer'.His books have been described as 'the bible for anyone who has the spirit of Dartmoor'.I am his granddaughter.
2. Lukesland Gardens
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 51 reviews
Reviewed By FalmouthLucy - Devon, United Kingdom
Great experience.We have a 2 for 1 gardeners world card and used it here but would have paid £6 entry each anyway.We really liked the lay out of garden and want to come back at a different time of year.There were some lovely Autumn colours when we went.Cafe is gerat.Loved the soup cake and coffee all very resonably priced.Very covid aware and plenty of hand sanitiser about and feltit all felt very safe
3. Alder Vineyard
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 30 reviews
Grow your love of wine far beyond the bottle. From the muddy boots of winter pruning to the glimmering sunshine across our Devon vineyard at harvest, our love of wine has grown far beyond the bottle. The only thing we love more, is sharing it with you. So what are you waiting for? Join us for a tour, lunch in our kitchen or browse our local bottle + gift shop.
Reviewed By SouthDevonCatwoman
We booked the Vineyard Tour & lunch online (a Christmas present to ourselves!). Very easy to book. Tom showed us around the vines and was easy to chat to and knowledgeable. We had a taster session (really lovely Rose & white wine) followed by a delicious lunch in the new cafe. It is obvious that much time, energy and love have been invested into this family business and Alder Vineyard thoroughly deserve their success. We look forward to returning in the near future to see how things have developed.
4. Dartmoor Whisky Distillery
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 12 reviews
Please note: due to Covid-19, we are currently closed to visitors, apart from Saturday 1pm-2pm for tours. Pre-booking is eesential, you can book tickets on our website. WE ARE CRAFTING THE SOUTH WEST’S VERY FIRST SINGLE MALT WHISKY ON THE EDGE OF DARTMOOR NATIONAL PARK Our beautiful ex-Cognac still was hand beaten in 1966 and has produced quality spirit for the likes of Hennessy, Martel and Remy Martin for most of its life. Saved from sitting dormant since its decommission in 1994, our still has been fully refurbished to restore it back to its former glory and is now producing smooth, sweet new make spirit made from Dartmoor barley. Inspired by the rugged land of Dartmoor on which we live and guided by our Master Distiller, Frank McHardy, our mission is to produce single malt whisky of unrivalled quality that encapsulates the true spirit of Dartmoor National Park.
Reviewed By Johnanddiane
Well worth a visit Simon is a great host very informative interesting talk all about the “history”of Dartmoor Whisky Distillery and the making of whisky. Please if your interested in local interest want to support them or just find out about whisky making go and enjoy an hour or so here. Do a little tasting and maybe purchase a bottle. Could do this trip on your own or as a couple group friends (not really for young children )
5. Dartmeet River Junction
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 165 reviews
Reviewed By 786carolb - Birmingham, United Kingdom
Wednesday 19th August 2020, My husband and I drove down to Dartmeet. Dartmeet is a popular tourist spot; it lies about 4.5 miles east of Two Bridges. As the name suggests, Dartmeet is the meeting point of the two major tributaries of the River Dart: the East Dart and West Dart. The road bridge, built in 1792, spans the East Dart; just above it, at the side of the large car park is an earlier, possibly medieval, Clapper Bridge, now partially collapsed. The actual confluence of the two rivers is just downstream of the bridge. Due to the heavy rain which has swelled the rivers, the water was white water rapids, white and boiling and the sound of the water was a deafening roar, which was really amazing and I took some really wonderful photographs of the bridge, cascading water and my husband and I sitting on the rocks by the river. Dartmeet is at the centre of an important archaeological landscape mainly due to its prehistoric field systems, delineated by reaves, many of which can be found on Yartor Downs and are the best preserved examples in North West Europe.
6. Buckfast Abbey
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,466 reviews
We are delighted to be partially re-opening from Monday, 26th April 2021 and fully re-opening from 17th May, (subject to Government guidelines.) Our Gift Shop will be open during our partial re-opening and our Grange Tea Rooms will be open for a takeaway service. Toilets will also be open. During this period, our opening times will be 10am - 4pm Monday to Saturday and 11.30am to 4pm Sundays. The Abbey Church, Bookshop and Monastic Shop will remain closed during the partial re-opening time. We look forward to welcoming you and assure you that Covid safety measures are in place.
Reviewed By stormbringer55 - St. Albans, United Kingdom
What a lovely place . The air of tranquillity is amazing ,as is the Devon cream tea. Great visitor centre and good shops and a nice little Methodist chapel ,free parking and entry all go to make this a great place to visit . Just down the road from the steam railway another great place to visit.
7. Buckland Abbey, National Trust
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 738 reviews
Enjoying a profound sense of calm and quiet, buried deep in a Devon valley, Buckland Abbey has been a home for hundreds of years. The Cistercian monks who founded this abbey in the later 13th Century led a life of religious contemplation and fruitful toil, working the land and tending their animals. Passed into private hands after Henry VIII's Dissolution of the Monasteries, Buckland Abbey underwent a major conversion to become the grand home of rich and famous seafarers, including Sir Francis Drake. For all that has changed over 750 years, Buckland is a place that has kept its air of peace and tranquility for modern day pilgrims to enjoy.
Reviewed By suej391
Very informative and interesting, full of history and certainly learnt more about Sir Francis Drake, the tithe barn well worth visiting, and most beautiful gardens, with good cafe it makes a very enjoyable day. Found the staff very helpful.
8. 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!
9. Fernworthy Reservoir
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 156 reviews
Reviewed By CherylD1563 - Worthing, United Kingdom
Stumbled upon this by accident while driving around Dartmoor. Luckily had walking boots and drinks with us. We did the whole walk and took us just under 2 hours with a rest 3/4 of the way round. £2 for 2 hours in the car park (cash only). Would definitely go again when we are in Devon it was a beautiful walk.
10. Burrator Reservoir
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 775 reviews
Undisturbed Burrator is surrounded by mixed woodland which sharply contrasts with the open moor and rugged Dartmoor tors. The reservoir is popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders due to its wealth of footpaths and bridleways. Many of the trails lead on to Dartmoor so it makes an ideal starting point for longer trips.The circular walk which follows the lanes around the water is ideal for families as it is easy going and flat. It will take between 1.5 - 2 hours to complete and is approximately 3.5 miles. Parking is possible at various locations including the Quarry car park, Norsworthy Bridge and the Dam.Low cost bank fishing for both rainbow and brown trout is available at this scenic water; permits are sold at the garage in Yelverton.Being within Dartmoor National Park we kindly request that you drive and park with consideration to other users and animals.The National Cycle Route 27 runs near to Burrator further information is available on the sustrans websiteIce cream vans visit the dam, Norsworthy Bridge and Sharpitor car park.
Reviewed By TheTimidTater - Plympton, United Kingdom
It's been very wet weather recently, so we didn't dare try to walk on the path closer to the reservoir as it was thick with wet mud. We walked on the road instead and it was a very pleasant walk, the road has very little traffic and a lot of other friendly people doing the same journey. Expect lots of 'hellos' and 'good mornings' as you go. It's a lovely location with great views, if you're walking on the road it's a nice flat walk although it's rather long to do the whole thing. If you're not up to it you can always just do part and turn back around. We parked at the side of the road near the bridge, where most everyone else seemed to be parking too. It wasn't a very busy day so it was easy to find a spot, but I imagine on weekends or holidays it could get very very crowded. There is an actual carpark further down by the old quarry, though if you have mobility issues that might be a bit far to walk. If you continue down the road past the bridge you'll find the information center, there's a car park there (and a toilet, with a small fee to use) and it's also a place you can go walking from that's a bit less busy. The center is also very informative and friendly, I'd advise going down there if you're looking for an easier location to start from. There is also a waterfall down that road on the left that you really must see, with some space to park right beside it.
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