The Dartmoor National Park is a unique destination, boasting a rich tapestry of natural attractions. Found in Devon County, this former expanse of countryside is a famed parkland now, welcoming thousands of intrepid travelers annually. The untamed landscape here is peppered with soaring massifs, azure lochs, vast moorlands, deep valleys and historic attractions. Aptly dubbed as the land of contrasts, this parkland astounds visitors with it eclectic bouquet of offerings and recreational opportunities. Walk amidst spectacular environs along the Meldon Viaduct, rekindle your love for history with visits to Fernworthy Stone Circle, Foggintor Quarry and Merrivale Prehistoric Settlement, or ascend heights on the slopes of Hound Tor, Pew Tor and the Great Links Tor. With the mélange of sights and landscapes found here, Dartmoor National Park will leave you spoilt for choice.
Near the town of Totnes, Woodlands is full of thrills and spills and well deserves its many awards. From the Alpine Dash to the Tornado the emphasis is on action and adventure for all ages. For rainy days there is a huge indoor complex with venture centers, a Circusdrome, ball-pools and inflatables, soft play for tinies and drop slides. Outside, the grounds bristle with commando-type courses and cafes. There is a farm area, with hands-on access, boating lakes and a wildlife walkabout, if you can pry the children away from the rides. Woodlands has won five national awards and if you can't tear yourself away, there's even a campsite attached. Wheelchair users need a strong pusher, as it's very hilly.
This is Britain's largest and most up-to-date aquarium, with many spectacular underwater displays. A visit to this ultra-modern center alongside Sutton Harbour on the historic Barbican will be an unforgettable adventure, with wide screen viewing windows giving you an amazing close-up view of the fish. The most spectacular displays have to be the sharks at feeding time, but there are many fascinating exhibits, including Europe's largest collection of seahorse species.
The former river port of Morwellham Quay is a prominent tourist attraction of the Dartmoor National Park today. Home to the famous Tavistock Canal, this one-stop destination packs in an array of fun recreational opportunities. Travel several meters underground into the dripping old copper mine, learn the ropes on board the restored sailing ship, Garlandstone, take a carriage ride drawn by magnificent Shire horses or enjoy games from the Victorian era. An open-air museum offers you a glimpse of a restored 19th-century village. Given its stellar location in the heart of Tamar Valley, one can take in unmatched views of an azure riverfront and rendezvous with rare wildlife and birdlife.
Step back in time as you walk along the harbor-side and through the two oldest streets of Plymouth. See the real Elizabethan House in New Street, and tour the 200 year old Plymouth Gin distillery. The Mayflower Steps are a must, to see where the Pilgrims embarked in 1620. You'll find them at the entrance of Sutton Harbour, which you will find filled with small craft of all kinds. Visit the Island Tourist Information Centre and discover the Barbican's history. This small harbor area has some very fine restaurants and shops which offer a wide range of goods, from local art and antiques to crystal and crafts.
Located in the Devonport Dockyard Plymouth heritage site, Devonport Naval Heritage Centre features a collection representing support to the Royal Navy fleet anchored at Plymouth since Edward I's era. Assemblage at this museum includes personal kits, badges, uniform, naval stores, ship and Royal Yacht models. Tours of this maritime museum let you explore the 19th, 18th and 15th-century industrial structures, historical submarines and ships. Extensive archives associated with Devonport Dockyard's history are also found at this museum. Popular artifacts include foundry items, ancient ship figureheads, diving equipment and HMS Courageous submarine. Please note that tours must be booked at least five days in advance, and ten days for foreign nationals.
On the Devon/Cornwall border, Rumleigh Farm offers high-quality accommodation in the Tamar Valley, and Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. With stylish rooms and a self-catering cottage for 2, Rumleigh also provides free parking and Wi-Fi. The bed and breakfast rooms in Yellowhammer Barn have garden views and an en suite bathroom with shower, hairdryer and complimentary toiletries. There is also a flat-screen TV, iron and tea and coffee facilities. Locally sourced breakfast is served each morning. Dragonfly is the farm’s self-catering cottage, featuring a well-equipped kitchen and a stylish bathroom with large walk-in shower and deep bath. This converted stable building has a wood-burner and a summerhouse, and breakfast and evening meals can be ordered if required. Rumleigh Farm is 6 miles from the market town Tavistock, located just outside the Dartmoor National Park, with pubs and restaurants within a 5-10 minute drive. Over the Cornish border, the towns of Saltash and Launceston are both around 30 minutes away.
Dewerstone is a beautiful Iron Age hill fort which is highly popular with climbers and walkers. It has mesmerizing views as it overlooks the Plym river. The area also has interesting wildlife which nature lovers can enjoy. There are many stories and legends that revolve around Dewerstone and how it got the name, Dewer meaning devil in the Celtic language.
West Ogwell Church is a lovely little redundant church in Ogwell, Devon. The church dates back to the 13th Century. It houses a chancel and a nave that are believed to belong to the 1300s. The church is currently taken care of by the Churches Conservation Trust. The West Ogwell Church was used for shooting 'The Borderlands', a British Horror movie.
Cawsand Bay is located in the South-eastern coast of Cornwall. A beautiful bay, it derives its name from the nearby village Cawsand. The bay is a beautiful stretch of land merging into the beautiful sea. It is connected to many beautiful sites like the Penlee Point, Rame Head. Tourists who visit these sites often make it a point to visit the Cawsand Bay. The Bay enjoys crystal clear water with a natural marine life. Many migratory birds can be seen perching on the Cawsand Bay.
Bantham, a coastal village located in South Devon, falls under the South Hams district. It sits on the River Avon estuary and is very near to the sea at Bigbury Bay. The beach is a favorite joint of surfers, and is home to an 18-hole golf course. The village is beautifully adorned with cottages and huts decorated in white. Bantham’s ‘Gastrobus’ is usually found close to the beach and provides local delicacies prepared freshly in the kitchen and various kinds of drinks. The village is also a popular choice amongst walkers who are drawn to its natural beauty.
Located on Talland’s cliff-top, the Talland Parish Church lies near Looe in Cornwall, and is easily accessible via the South West Coast Path. Its dedication to St Tallanus makes it an unique English church. St Tallanus, a hermit, made his home on the site in the 5th Century CE and since then the site has been considered holy. However, some texts say that he appeared not before 15th century and that was when this church was built. Arguments supporting the existence of another church on the site before this one exist. There are many architectural elements in the church belonging to the 13th century and some belonging to the 15th century. A stone-work beauty, the Talland parish church speaks volumes about the history of the site.