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Take a hike – Dartmoor has miles and miles to
explore, with Neolithic burial mounds, standing stones, ancient footpaths,
old hill forts, medieval hamlets, crumbly Norman castles, old stagecoach
roads, rushing river gorges, leafy woodlands, and dramatic piles of granite
rocks, called tors. From the tops of the tors (Haytor, Hound Tor, Top Tor,
Saddle Tor), you'll have panoramas of the Devon countryside. |
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Before you start out, stop at the visitor centers to pick
up maps. There are visitor and information centers in Princetown, Newbridge,
Postbridge, Haytor, Ivybridge, Tavistock, Okehampton. |
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 Also, pony
trekking or renting bikes is a fun way to explore this unique
terrain. |
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Morwellham Quay (near Tavistock) – Take a train
into the hillside to see the old copper mine, then roam around the re-constructed
village of Morwellham, once a busy port on the River Tamar. Kids can find
out about child labor and working in the mines for 12 hours a day. Dress
up in Victorian costumes, tour cottages, workshops, and a village school. |
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Buckland Abbey – Check out the grand home of Sir
Francis Drake. Originally a 13th century abbey, the buildings were incorporated
into the Drake estate. At Buckland Abbey, there are exhibits about Sir Francis
Drake, an Elizabethan garden and crafts workshops. (Closed Thursdays, and
in winter, Buckland Abbey is open on weekends only) |
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Postbridge – Postbridge is the perfect place to picnic –
grassy areas along a meandering river. What's to see is a medieval stone "clapper bridge" (with two big slabs of stone spanning
the river). The bridge was used by pack horses carrying tin from the mines. |
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Miniature Pony Centre (2 mi. west of Moretonhampstead) – Little kids will love the miniature ponies and donkeys, petting zoo
with baby rabbits, guinea pigs and ducklings, plus pony rides, an indoor
play area, feed the birds, lambs, and ducks. |
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Buckfast Abbey – Founded in 1018, this is a real
working Benedictine monastery today. The Abbey Church, which has
been rebuilt, is a stunning example of 12th century architecture, with Gothic
arches and geometric marble pavements. |
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From Buckfastleigh station, you can take a vintage bus ride
to get to Buckfast Abbey. |
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South Devon Railway – From Buckfastleigh,
take the steam train to Totnes. The Buckfastleigh station
has a railway museum and model railway, playground, picnic area and miniature
train (fun for little ones). Allow time to explore Totnes, a charming
town with an impressive castle and tea shops for cream teas. Next to the
Totnes Station is the Totnes Rare Breeds Centre, with a petting zoo. If
you have time, it's a nice walk along the river from Totnes to Staverton
Bridge (and then you can pick up the train at Staverton station). |
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Tip: The weather on Dartmoor is often windy,
misty and rainy. Bring jackets and good shoes for walking. |
