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The Best Way to Explore Delightful Dartmoor with Kids?

The best way to explore Delightful Dartmoor with Kids? Explore Dartmoor, Visit Dartmoor 2016

When you’re zooming around in your car it can be difficult to fully appreciate the beauty, culture or history which are all around you. During our recent trip we experienced three different ways to explore Dartmoor and Devon, which let us get a much closer look at our surroundings. 

THREE WAYS TO REALLY EXPLORE DARTMOOR & DEVON

1- JOIN A GUIDED WALK IN TAVISTOCK (with MOORLAND GUIDES)

Tavistock is steeped in history so we joined a walking tour by Moorland Guides to learn more about the origins of the town and its monastery. Our guide, Andrew, sensibly pitched his talk at the level of our 12, 9 and 7 year old sons and kept the tour interactive by testing the children’s knowledge of history and nudging them to recall key facts and figures he’d previously referred to in the talk. The children were engaged and had plenty of questions of their own to ask in return. 

Tavistock Walk with Moorland Guides - explore Dartmoor

THE VERDICT?

We all thought the tour was interesting and informative and gave us a good idea of why the town had developed as it had. We thought that ninety minutes was long enough and the maximum length you’d want it to be with children in tow.

The children said:-

It was interesting and the guide was really friendly. We liked seeing the Abbot’s Porch and learning about granite. We enjoyed learning and not just walking for the whole time.

Tavistock Walk with Moorland Guides - explore DartmoorTIP

We think it’s a good idea to do a tour like this at the start of a stay as it’s a great way to get your bearings whilst offering the opportunity to appreciate architecture and history behind places you might visit during the remainder of your stay.

Tavistock Walk with Moorland Guides - explore Dartmoor


 

2- CYCLE ALONG THE GRANITE WAY (with DEVON CYCLE HIRE)

I do enjoy a bike ride but living in coastal Portishead with its ‘impressive’ hills makes cycling as a family something of a challenge for us. We drove to Sourton where Devon Cycle Hire kitted us out efficiently with bikes, helmets and a lock. Part of National Cycle Route 27, the family friendly Granite Way offers eleven miles of well-surfaced trail along a former railway line between Lydford and Okehampton which can be accessed directly from Devon Cycle Hire.

 

Granite Way with Devon Cycle Hire - explore Dartmoor, Visit Dartmoor

Along the route you can enjoy sights like Lake Viaduct, Meldon Viaduct, Sourton Church, Lydford Castle, Okehampton Castle and the old railway station. With beautiful views across Dartmoor the route is fairly flat but not boringly so. You can hire bikes for a whole or a half day and if you fancy stopping for lunch, there are plenty of pubs to choose from along the route. 

Granite Way with Devon Cycle Hire - explore Dartmoor, Visit Dartmoor

THE VERDICT?

I was impressed with the service and high quality of the bikes from Devon Cycle Hire and did get rather attached to mine by the end! The gentle slopes keep the route interesting, the views are tremendous and having a section of country pubs from which to choose your lunch stop is terribly civilised! We all loved this activity and it was such a pleasure to be able to enjoy it together as a family.

TIP

If you really fall in love with your ride, it’s worth mentioning it to Devon Cycle Hire as they do offer the option to buy second-hand bikes!

Granite Way with Devon Cycle Hire - explore Dartmoor, Visit Dartmoor


3- STEAM THROUGH THREE ATTRACTIONS WITH SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY

Dating back to 1872 the former Great Western Railway branch line, originally designed and engineered by Brunel, runs along the valley of the River Dart. Once used mainly for freight, sheep and cattle, it now transports tourists enjoying a leisurely ride. Neighbouring attractions offer a discounted combined ticket which includes South Devon Railway, Totnes Rare Breeds Farm and Dartmoor Otters & Buckfast Butterflies. We chose to go on a train ride first.

ATTRACTION 1 – THE SOUTH DEVON RAILWAY TRUST TRAIN 

We made ourselves comfortable on the train that was waiting for us at Buckfastleigh station and steamed off towards the Rare Breeds Farm right at the other end of the line seven miles away in Totnes. En route we relaxed, enjoyed the scenery and looked out for kingfishers which can sometimes be seen around the River Dart.

South Devon Railway, Buckfastleigh, Totnes - explore Dartmoor, Visit Dartmoor

THE VERDICT?

This is a pleasant way to see the beautiful South Devon countryside and enjoy some living history. Having the option of all three attractions on one ticket gave us plenty to do for the whole day.

South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh - explore Dartmoor, Visit Dartmoor

TIP

Just sit back and enjoy a relaxing ride!

South Devon Railway at Buckfastleigh - explore Dartmoor, Visit Dartmoor


 

ATTRACTION 2 – RARE BREEDS FARM AT TOTNES 

“Totes Rare breeds farm is a non-profit making organisation which …. aims to preserve endangered species of farm animals and the diversity of British wildlife.”

We were given the opportunity to stroke all sorts of owls which were very friendly, thanks to all the attention their handler gives them. 

Totnes Rare Breeds Farm on South Devon Railway - explore Dartmoor, Visit Dartmoor

Petting an owl at Totnes Rare Breeds Farm on South Devon Railway - explore Dartmoor, Visit Dartmoor

Visitors are encouraged to go into some of the pens and interact with the animals. The cheeky goats are a favourite, amusing everyone by ripping the food bags we’d bought out of our hands and coat pockets when they decided we weren’t feeding them quickly enough! 

Totnes Rare Breeds Farm on South Devon Railway - explore Dartmoor, Visit Dartmoor

The red squirrels in their big run were also fun to watch. It was good to see these small creatures enjoying lots of space in which they could keep active.

We didn’t manage to escape without a visit to the petting section where even the big boys enjoyed handling guinea pigs.

Totnes Rare Breeds Farm on South Devon Railway - explore Dartmoor, Visit Dartmoor

THE VERDICT?

The farm is small enough to be manageable for younger children but there’s plenty to see and do for older children and their grown-ups too.

TIP

If your child is confident enough, buy a bag of food and enjoy spending some time with the cheeky goats!


ATTRACTION 3 – BUCKFAST BUTTERFLIES & DARTMOOR OTTER SANCTUARY

The final attraction of the combined ticket was otters and butterflies – one of those places I thought we’d be in and out of within an hour, tops. Ha,ha, ha!

Butterflies

Walking through this tropical paradise I felt like I’d stepped into a Disney film as these beautiful creatures flew all around me, passing right in front of my face or landing on a nearby leaf. A variety of multicoloured chrysalises hung in orderly lines. Waterfalls trickled, turtles crawled lazily and giant goldfish swim through the pool below the bridge I was standing on. It was quite mesmerising but eventually we dragged ourselves away to visit the otters outside.

Otters and Butterflies, Buckfastleigh on South Devon Railway - explore Dartmoor, Visit Dartmoor

Otters

The aim of the sanctuary is to prevent otters becoming extinct in the wild so they carry out a lot of rescue work here. David the owner explained how they work with other centres to rescue and release British otters into the wild. The otters here are either part of a breeding programme or ones which have become humanised.

After spending a while wandering around the different enclosures, trying to catch a glimpse of an otter, it was time for their dinner and the talk which went with it. Lasting about 35 minutes,feeding time was the absolute highlight of our visit. We saw the otters from every angle and found out a lot about them and the centre.

We learned that the animals keep their bed area clean, that Asian otters are breeders for life and that they’re given dog toys to play with as they’re durable – and these fellows have sharp teeth!

 

Butterfly and Otters and Butterflies, Buckfastleigh on South Devon Railway - explore Dartmoor, Visit Dartmoor

THE VERDICT?

This place isn’t about the money. It’s a labour of love by everyone concerned. 

We finally left after a couple of hours armed with significantly more knowledge about the inmates than when we’d arrived, and with a warm fuzzy glow. I’d say this is well worth a visit.

TIP

If at all possible, time your visit to coincide with feeding time and the fabulous talk which accompanies it.


So we walked, we cycled and we rode on a steam train, but which was the best? I’ll leave you to draw your own conclusions!

How would you explore Dartmoor?

For more ideas of what to do in Dartmoor with kids, have a look at my previous posts:-
6 Fun Family Outings in the Dartmoor Area
and you’ll find lots of ideas and detailed reviews of family friendly accommodation (which are all big enough to accommodate a family of five) here:-
Bedford Hotel Tavistock Video Review, Helpful Holidays Bovey Castle Lodge Video TourWoodovis Park Family Holiday and Moorland Garden Luxury Hotel.

Dartmoor Accommodation is a fantastic holiday planning tool. If you’re thinking of visiting this part of Devon, it’s well worth contacting Lisa about any aspect of your trip as she’s very knowledgeable and remarkably organised!

web: Dartmoor Accommodation
email: lisa @ dartmooraccommodation
tel: 01822 810827

Thanks to all those who invited us to review their properties, facilities and activities and hosted us free of charge for the purposes of putting together this guide and a special thank you to Dartmoor Accommodation who did such a brilliant job of arranging this whole trip for us. If you’re considering taking a trip to the Dartmoor area or any of the attractions listed, do take a look at their websites below as they provide helpful information and some offer special rates when you book with them on-line.

Useful links:

Moorland Guides

Devon Cycle Hire

The Bearslake Inn

South Devon Railway

Dartmoor Accommodation

DISCLOSURE: WE WERE PROVIDED WITH FREE ACCESS TO ALL ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMMODATION FOR REVIEW PURPOSES. ALL OPINIONS ARE OUR OWN  
7 comments… add one
  • Ian 19/01/2017, 06:55

    Thank you. To have a read of some other family friendly bike routes, you can visit family friendly cycling website – offers advice on routes in the south west and places to hire bikes.

  • Ting at My Travel Monkey 27/05/2016, 13:31

    Great tips, and lots we’d love to do as a family such as the cycling and the railway. We haven’t really explored Dartmoor, but it’s somewhere we really need to go! Thanks for linking up with #MondayEscapes

  • Emma Raphael 23/05/2016, 19:53

    Brilliant tips! Saving this for summer when I hope to visit nearby when we are back in the UK! 🙂 #mondayescapes

  • Amanda 19/05/2016, 18:40

    Lovely guide, thanks

  • Claire at Tin Box Traveller 18/05/2016, 22:16

    What a great trip! We love Totnes Rare Breeds Farm and are regular visitors to see little Flintwick. What a cutie! The guinea pigs are also high on Tin Box Tot’s list of animals to visit while we are there.

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