Even though so many of us live either on Dartmoor or close to it, how often do we realise we’ve not been to visit our local landmark, gallery, museum or family attraction?
I’m personally making 2018 the year that I make the time to enjoy some of the well-known places I’ve not yet visited. In fairness to myself, I have actually been to all the ones I’m listing here!
Let’s support our local businesses this year!
Dartmoor National Park Visitor Centre in Princetown
Princetown: 01822 890 414
It’s the National Park’s flagship Centre where you can learn out about the Dartmoor story, be inspired by the fantastic Dartmoor Time-lapse film, find out about Sherlock Holmes and the Hound of the Baskervilles and the author’s connections with the building, while children enjoy dressing up, sitting in the junior Ranger Land Rover, a great fun zone and the Hairy Hands film in the spooky cinema.
Burrator Reservoir
Yelverton, Devon Tel: 01566 771930
Burrator reservoir is situated within Dartmoor, and the tranquil water and surrounding mixed woodland contrasts sharply with the open moor and the rugged Dartmoor tors.
A trip here can be combined with a walk across the moors, or you can try bank fishing for rainbow and brown trout (just be sure to get a permit from the garage in Yelverton).
Where: SX549677
When: All year
Facilities: Car Park, Dogs Allowed, Fishing, Visitor Centre, Walks,
Stone Lane Gardens
Stone Farm, Chagford, Devon, TQ13 8JU Tel: 01647 231311
Open all year. Spectacular 5-acre woodland and water garden that enchants and inspires in every season, renowned for National Collections of Birch and Alder trees. The garden is threaded with pools and streams, while gleaming tree bark in a myriad of shades is enhanced and complemented by a varied tapestry of shade-loving plants. A delight for all ages to visit at any time of year. Winner of BBC Gardeners’ World magazine ‘Gardens to Visit’ in the South West, 2010 and described as “One of the most inspiring National Collections in the country” by The Daily Telegraph.
Each year from spring to autumn the ‘Mythic Garden Sculpture Exhibition’ takes place within the Garden, started by Kenneth’s wife June in 1992 and now an important showcase for West Country artists.
We are happy to have dogs at our garden as long as they are on a lead.
House of Marbles
Pottery Road, Bovey Tracey, Newton Abbot, Devon, TQ13 9DS Tel: 01626 835285
At House of Marbles and Teign Valley Glass we have been manufacturing our unusual range of games, toys, marbles and glassware since 1973. Visitors to our beautiful Devon site can enjoy museums of glass, games, marbles and pottery. Watch exciting glassblowing, see marvelous marble runs and browse our beautiful shops. Have fun in the games garden and indulge in a hot drink and cake, breakfast, lunch or afternoon tea in our fully licensed restaurant. Dogs are welcome everywhere except the indoor restaurant.
Opening Times: Monday to Saturday 9am – 5pm, Sunday 10am – 5pm.
Closed Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Year’s Day and Easter Sunday.
Salar Gallery
20 Bridge Street, Hatherleigh, EX20 3HY Tel: 01837 810940
Exhibition Rooms & Shop in elegant Victorian premises in centre-of-town location, not far from the Town car park and Roger Dean’s much admired ‘Sheep’ sculpture.
Fine paintings and craftwork from up to fifty mainly West Country artists and makers, many celebrating the landscape, animals and heritage of the area in various styles and media.
Prints and Picture Framing service and great selection of Greetings Cards.
You are invited to come and enjoy our ‘Aladdin’s Cave’ of treasures and perhaps find just the painting or souvenir you were looking for. And then maybe walk to top of Hatherleigh Moor to enjoy breath taking panoramic view from the William Morris Obelisk to the unspoiled horizon of Dartmoor’s highest tors.
War Horse Valley
Parsonage Farm, Iddesleigh, Winkleigh, Devon, EX19 8SN Tel: 01837 810318
Parsonage Farm has been farmed by the same family for nearly 100 years and is the farm around which the book War Horse by Michael Morpurgo was set, along with the parish of Iddesleigh.
It was also once home to Revd. John ‘Jack’ Russell, first breeder of the terriers to which he gives his name.
This beautiful hidden part of Devon boasts stunning scenery of rolling hills and valleys with Dartmoor as its magnificent backdrop.
Come and explore War Horse Valley – its farming history, its people and its Wartime stories and of course the place where the story of Joey and Albert was born.
Castle Drogo
Drewsteignton, Devon, EX6 6PB Tel: 01647 433306
Castle Drogo is situated high above the Teign Gorge. It was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens for self-made millionaire Julius Drewe. It looks ancient, but this remarkable building was only constructed 100 years ago, the last castle ever built in England. From the beginning it has suffered from water penetration and is now undergoing a 6-year conservation project that will last until 2018 to make it watertight.
Inside you can explore the refreshed layout, with rooms redisplayed with installations and precious treasures displayed in new ways.
Outside stroll around the formal gardens or explore the Teign Valley with its ancient gorge, teeming with wildlife.
Or recharge at the café with a traditional Devon cream tea or tuck into a slice of cake.