Brentor Church in early morning mist

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Dartmoor Holidays

You’re spoilt for a choice of things to do and see

Walking

Horse Riding

Cycling

Local Towns

Local attractions

Beaches

Gardens

Walking

Dartmoor Walks – There are spectacular walks are available across glorious Dartmoor, with many Tors to climb. There are literally hundreds of walks on and around Dartmoor from a gentle stroll to an all-day hike.

Letter boxing is very popular in the area, as Dartmoor is so close and accessible. Letterboxing is an outdoor pursuit with similarities to orienteering. A small pot (the letterbox) containing a stamp and visitors’ book is hidden on the moor, and a clue is written to lead others to its position. Clues may be as simple as a map reference and list of compass bearings, or may be more cryptic.

Horse Riding

Dartmoor Horse Riding

One of the most enjoyable ways to see the moors is in the saddle, away from the hustle and bustle of city life.

Suggested websites:
Cholwell Riding Stables

Cycling

Dartmoor Cycling

We are situated on Route 27 of the National Cycle Network. There are many routes to explore right from our very own doorstep either on quiet country lanes or offroad.

Local Towns

Okehampton

Okehampton a local market town (7 miles) and the northern gateway to Dartmoor offers a golf course. The town is overlooked by the Okehampton Castle dating back to 1195, mentioned in the Doomsday Book. Well worth a visit, particularly in the springtime when the bluebells are in abundance. There is a Farmers Market held every 1st and 3rd Saturday of the month in Okehampton.

From Okehampton board the Meldon Steam Train, which leads directly onto the moor and you can use this as a way to visit the Meldon Reservoir, the source of the farm’s water, or take the opportunity to use the newly created cycle paths.

Tavistock Town Centre

Tavistock – The old stannery town is 8 miles away offering Meadowlands Leisure facilities including a swimming pool, tennis course, bowling green and large car park area.

Regular weekly pannier markets with additional outside farmers markets twice monthly.

Local attractions

Lydford

Lydford is 2 miles from The Knole and boasts the remains of a Castle also dating to 1195 together with the beautiful Lydford Gorge a National Trust property with dramatic walks and cascading waterfalls – notably the “The White Lady Falls”.

Lydford Gorge is open from March to end of September here you can see the spectacular ‘White Lady Waterfall’ popular with visitors and locals. There are long and short walks to suit all ages and abilities but good footwear is recommended.

Morwellham Quay

Morwellham Quay is an award-winning World Heritage site, featuring historic port, copper mine, working Victorian farm, railway, heavy horses and museums of costume and mining. Just four miles west of Tavistock and bordering the beautiful River Tamar. Currently seen on BBC Television Edwardian Farm. For more details visit https://www.morwellham-quay.co.uk

Roadford Lake

Roadford Lake is a spectacular lake set on the edge of Dartmoor between Okehampton and Launceston, very easily accessed from Stowford Cross on the A30, and with ample parking. On the southern bank you will find the Lakeside cafe and Function Suite which includes a Visitor Centre, giving information on the history of the valley, with interactive exhibits. The Lakeside cafe and gift shop and Visitor Centre are open daily.

Visitors including families visit this side of the lake and enjoy miles of footpaths and a cycleway which winds its way through a maturing planted forest overlooking the Lake. Or you can take a rowing boat to explore the scenery from a different perspective from the water.

Padstow

Padstow’s a beautiful fishing port off the West bank of the river Camel near Wadebridge. It has the South West coastal path which at 630 miles is Britain’s longest footpath. With its fine wining and dining it gives you all you need for a lovely day out. Close by are the Lost gardens of Heligan and the Eden Project.

Widemouth

Widemouth, which has achieved the Blue flag award 2017 is situated on the Atlantic coast of Cornwall. Its long bay is popular for families and surfers. When the tide goes out there are plenty of rock pools to explore. With surf hire, beach shops and cafes it makes for a lovely family day out and with Bude town just 3 miles further North there is plenty to see and do.

Beaches

Devon and Cornwall Beaches

For those hot sunny days a choice of beaches depending on the direction you wish to take – Bude to the North – Torquay to the Southeast and Cornish beaches to the South, all easily reached by car in an hour.

Exeter and Plymouth are 30 miles away offering Modern City Centres with Plymouth steeped in naval history having the hoe, the marina and the port.

Gardens

National Trust
National Trust properties in the area include:

Lydford Gorge – Lydford – 4 miles from The Knole
Cotehele house, St Dominic – 7 miles from Tavistock
Buckland Abbey, Yelverton – 7 miles from Tavistock
Finch Foundry, Sticklepath – 9 miles from The Knole

RHS

Rosemoor gardens – Torrington – 10 miles approx from The Knole