Things to Do, Gifts to Buy, Places to Stay!
We’ve come up with lots of ideas for you here, and please do keep an eye on our What’s On pages for more inspiration, events, and festivities!
Christmas on Dartmoor is a magical time! Picture this: the moors dressed in a blanket of frost, the air crisp and the Dartmoor ponies all looking rather round with their thick fluffy winter coats!
Now, let's talk Walking on Dartmoor!
Christmas Markets
For a touch of tradition, visit a local market. Dartmoor communities come alive during the holidays, with handmade crafts, local food, fantastic produce, and fabulous gift ideas.
Maybe you’re looking for that perfect gift for someone special – we’ve got lots of gift ideas for the Dartmoor enthusiast in the form of books and maps that you can order online in our Dartmoor Shop.
Fabulous Food
Many of the fabulous hotels on Dartmoor offer superb fine dining in their restaurants, there are pubs where the fabulous food will knock your socks off, menus offering everything you could want from locally reared roast beef or lamb, to the lightest and most delicate of soufflés!
Wherever you go on Dartmoor, there will be a restaurant, pub, hotel, or tearoom where you will be assured of a warm and friendly welcome, the highest quality food, wine, and service.
Lastly, find a spot to stargaze. Dartmoor’s wide-open skies are perfect for a bit of amateur astronomy. Imagine wrapping up as warm as you can , sitting on one of the granite tors on a blanket, looking up at the stars, feeling the festive spirit, and perhaps even catching a glimpse of a shooting star.
Christmas on Dartmoor isn’t just about the holidays; it’s about embracing the beauty of the season in a place that feels like it’s straight out of a winter fairy tale.
Keep an eye on the great offers on our website’s Special Offers page, both for accommodation and activities!
We’ve listed some wonderful seasonal suggestions, offers, gift ideas and activities below for you to select from below …
Books & Maps
Got someone special who loves books and maps? We’ve a great selection in our online Dartmoor Bookshop to choose from.
Welcome to our online bookshop, your gateway to a world of Dartmoor literature and knowledge.
There’s a lot to choose from in our ever-growing online shop! Books with lots of different Dartmoor walks to try, or you can discover the history of tin mining on the moor.
Would you like to find out about the aircraft that were lost in crashes on Dartmoor during World War Two, or maybe you’d like to learn about the wildflowers that thrive here.
We have books about the tors of Dartmoor, and a fascinating guide to the moorland’s ancient monuments, plus one about Burrator Reservoir.
Read about the Dartmoor Perambulation, the Dartmoor Way cycling & walking route, and the Two Moors Way … there’s a great deal to enjoy!
Canonteign Falls Gift Tickets!
This Christmas gift someone you love a fantastic day out.
If you’re searching for an extra special gift for someone you love this Christmas, why not gift them a fantastic day out at Canonteign Falls?
From waterfall walks to delicious cream teas or guided history tours, there is something for every budget.
The best part is you won’t have to leave the house to buy it! All our experiences are delivered by email, valid for one year and redeemable at our admissions desk by our friendly admissions team.
Dartmoor Llama Trekking
Lots of hot chocolate llama walks in the diary in the Christmas Holidays!
Also – you can stay in the beautiful Robin Cottage during December including Christmas. Short breaks/ hot tubs are available.
Forestry England Gift Membership
You can gift your loved ones a Forestry England membership They can choose to support Bellever Forest only or join Forestry England with Bellever as their favourite local place, for a year of unlimited parking and exclusive discounts. All proceeds support the nation’s forests.
Guided Walks with Moorland Guide Paul Rendell
29th Dec (Fri) LOOKING FOR PIXIES
Start Time: 10am
Meeting Point: Gutter Tor. Parking end of lane below tor SX 579 674
Duration: 8 miles, 5 hours
Route: Yellowmead stone circle, Pixie’s Cave, Combeshead Tor, Down Tor Stone Row, Nun’s Cross and Eylesbarrow.
Also! A gift sub to Dartmoor News magazine is a great Christmas Present. The Dartmoor News magazine is published every two months. This A5 size magazine is full of news of things happening on Dartmoor as well as interesting articles about the real moor. It has 72 pages in each issue.
Special code – VD £35, to run between 1st Dec and 30th Dec.
Cream Tea at Two Bridges
As always, the Two Bridges Hotel will be beautifully decorated to mark the festive season, and the crackling log fires add to the famously warm welcome. Settle down on a comfy sofa in the atmospheric bar or the restful lounge and enjoy a classic Devon Cream Tea. Served all day, every day (except Christmas Day and Boxing Day). £8 per person. Bookings on 01822 892300.
Festive Treats at The Bedford
You’ll find The Bedford Hotel in the heart of the award-winning market town of Tavistock, making it the ideal spot for a bite to eat when you tire from the Christmas shopping. Enjoy a traditional festive lunch or dinner, including turkey with all the trimmings, or simply settle down in the warm welcoming lounge for a festive cream tea or something from the bar.
Three course Festive Lunch (1st – 24th December): £32
Three course Festive Dinner (1st – 22nd December): £35
Festive Cream Tea: £8
Bookings on 01822 613221
House of Marbles at Christmas
Christmas is our favourite time of year at House of Marbles!
Santa eagerly awaits children in his Grotto, while our talented Chefs at The Old Pottery Restaurant diligently prepare a sumptuous Christmas feast.
The Emporium is brimming with unique gifts and toys, and the glassmakers from Teign Valley Glass Studio are getting their gallery and hot shop ready for the festivities, where you can even try your hand at glassblowing! Meanwhile, the rest of our team is gearing up to extend a warm welcome to you.
Dartmoor Zoo
Experience a magical and wintery walk around our gorgeous site, taking in a series of beautiful light installations (from JHAV, the incredible team that brought you The Atlantic Project and Illuminate Festival of Light), which bring the zoo to life after dark in the most enchanting way possible!
Even if you’ve experienced Zooluminate before, with a whole host of new and exciting installations, you won’t want to miss the brand-new Zooluminate experience this year!
There are stunning installation spaces the entire way around our site, so you’ll have plenty of opportunities for those selfies, plus – some of our enclosures are going to be illuminated, so you might even get the chance to see our animals all snuggled up for the night.
Also! Wreath Making Workshops at the Zoo.
Join Us for a Merry Wreath-Making Workshop and Festive Lunch at Dartmoor Zoo!
Step into the enchanting world of holiday cheer and creativity at Dartmoor Zoo’s Winter Wonderland Wreath-Making Workshop! Experience the magic of Christmas as you craft your own beautiful wreath led by Jules Champion Floral Designs. Get ready to deck the halls and enjoy a delightful festive lunch in the heart of the Dartmoor countryside.
Rushford Shepherd Huts
Christmas is our favourite time of year at House of Marbles!
Santa eagerly awaits children in his Grotto, while our talented Chefs at The Old Pottery Restaurant diligently prepare a sumptuous Christmas feast.
The Emporium is brimming with unique gifts and toys, and the glassmakers from Teign Valley Glass Studio are getting their gallery and hot shop ready for the festivities, where you can even try your hand at glassblowing! Meanwhile, the rest of our team is gearing up to extend a warm welcome to you.
Lydgate House Special Offers
Our prices are based on two people sharing a Luxury en-suite room and include a choice from our delicious Devonshire breakfast menu each morning.
Christmas
Experience the Magic of Christmas at Lydgate House Hotel!
We invite you to join us for a truly special and unforgettable Christmas celebration 2023. Our hotel will be adorned with tasteful decorations, creating a magical atmosphere for the festive season.
For Special Offers and Gift Vouchers below, contact Lydgate House
