Dartmoor Family Activities

Dartmoor National Park’s moorlands, immense granite tors, tree-lined river valleys and charming villages attract a staggering 10 million visitors every year. Its wild open spaces are a huge favourite with lovers of outdoor pursuits, nature enthusiasts and historians – but a wealth of opportunities for fun and learning also make it a great place for a family holiday. Our guide to the best Dartmoor family attractions takes in something for every member of your tribe, from fascinating historic sites to thrilling adventure parks and a hilltop castle, as well as quirky local events and some fabulous places to go for a cycle ride or a family walk.

Outdoor adventures

Nature trails at Burrator Reservoir

Managed by the environmental charity South West Lakes Trust, Burrator Reservoir is ringed by mixed woodland and open moorland. Popular with cyclists, fishermen and hikers, it’s also a great place for a family walk or a picnic.

Accessible for pushchairs and wheelchairs, the pretty 1.5-kilometre (1-mile) wildlife trail runs through its arboretum and wetland nature reserve, home to horseshoe bats, nuthatches, robins and great tits, and where you can spot bluebells, daffodils, poppies and primroses. For older and more energetic children, the 3.5-mile (5.5-kilometre) circular walk around the water has great views of Sheeps Tor, Leather Tor and Down Tor, as well as the waterfall plunging through the arches of the Burrator Dam.

Visit the on-site Discovery Centre to see videos, displays and interactive screens tracing everything from the reservoir’s construction to historic sites nearby and conservation of the local wildlife. You can pick up a free map of the site, as well as a leaflet detailing several guided walks (for a small fee). Forest Fun sessions for parents and toddlers are held every week, and there are monthly wildlife watching sessions for families. For full details, check out the Burrator website.

For more places where you can spot local birds and animals, have a look at Pitchup’s guide to wildlife watching on Dartmoor.

Pony trekking 

Dartmoor is famous for its ponies, which live and graze on the moor, and horse-riding on Dartmoor’s open moorland, wooded trails and bridleways is justifiably popular. Whether you‘re a keen rider or you’d like to learn, there are several stables on the moor that lead guided rides. We’d recommend booking in advance.

• West Dartmoor: Cholwell Riding Stables near Mary Tavy offers guided one- to two-hour rides for all ages (5+) and abilities. Riding hats are provided, and you should wear long trousers and clothing that suits the weather.
• East Dartmoor: Shilstone Rocks at Widecombe-in-the-Moor offers hour-long rides for novices and beginners. 
• South Dartmoor: Fitzworthy Equestrian Centre near Ivybridge is a family-friendly centre that caters to everyone from novices and complete beginners to experienced riders.  

If you’re not a rider, but would like to learn more about Dartmoor’s ponies, the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust runs several free guided walks of around four miles during the summer, departing from the Forestry Car Park near Postbridge Visitor Centre. Please visit the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust website for details.

Educational activities

Dartmoor Visitor Centres 

If you’re planning a family day out on Dartmoor, the National Park’s Visitor Centres are the place to pick up some ideas, with family-friendly exhibitions and displays that shed some light on the park’s history, wildlife and culture. 

A fascinating exhibition at Postbridge documents the discovery of a Bronze Age burial site at Whitehorse Hill on the north moor. Artefacts, photographs, interactive screens and a reconstructed hut circle show how early residents of Dartmoor lived, and children have the chance to dress up and spot replica weapons. Nearby, you can take a 10-minute (uphill) walk along a forestry track for great views from Bellever Tor.  Experienced hikers might like to take off across the moor to see Grey Wethers Stone Circles and the site of the original excavation, but this is a longer walk that’s probably not suitable for younger children.

Princetown’s visitor centre was once a hotel, where Sir Arthur Conan Doyle stayed while writing The Hound of the Baskervilles. Children can dress up as Sherlock Holmes or even as a ‘resident’ of nearby Dartmoor Prison to have their pictures taken, and informative displays and short films explore local legends, wildlife and history. Staff can suggest some walking routes across the nearby moorland, or you could just settle down for a picnic in the centre’s conservation garden.  

Guided nature walks

A guided walk is a great way for families to learn more about Dartmoor’s natural environment, archaeology, wildlife and local legends, 

Visit Dartmoor has a list of local guides on its guided walks page who will teach you more about the moor’s flora and fauna, introduce you to hidden parts of the moor or take you to sacred and prehistoric sites. All of these could be of interest to your children, but we think surely the best walks on Dartmoor for families with younger kids are those where you get the chance to take a stroll with an alpaca or a llama.

If you love to stretch your legs properly, check out Pitchup’s guide to the best Dartmoor hikes.

Historic sites in Dartmoor

Castle Drogo

In a prime position on a hilltop above the River Teign, Castle Drogo was designed by renowned architect Sir Edwin Lutyens for the millionaire Julius Drewe. Completed in 1930, it was the last castle ever to be built in England. A tour of the interior reveals original furnishings such as Venetian chandeliers and family portraits, and no fewer than 374 copper jelly moulds in the kitchen (we don’t know why either). Depending on the season, the formal gardens overflow with wisteria, rhododendron and roses. 

Children can play in the ‘Bunty House’ near the shrubbery and burn off some energy on the Circular Lawn. Activities and events for kids include old-fashioned games in the grounds during the summer and craft activities during school holidays. You can also pick up a ‘spotter sheet’ from reception and try completing a natural treasure hunt in the garden. Easter egg hunts, spooky Halloween events and visits from Father Christmas have all taken place here over the years – check the castle's website to see what's currently planned. 

Becky Falls Ancient Woodland Park 

With family-friendly walks through 50 acres of oak woodland beside the River Bovey and the chance to spot deer, squirrels and herons in the wild, Becky Falls is a great choice for a family day out on Dartmoor. 

Three circular trails include the Blue Trail (30 minutes, easy) incorporating a nature trail for children with challenges to complete, and the Red Trail (45 minutes, some steep steps) which leads to the park’s boulder-strewn waterfall. An educational Activity Pack (small fee) has more tasks to complete, plus spotter guides to the local flowers and wildlife.

There’s also a small zoo on site that's home to meerkats, Shetland ponies, snakes and giant tortoises, with hourly keeper talks and the chance to feed some of the animals. The Woodland Cafe serves burgers, cream teas, cakes and snacks.

Family events and festivals

Chagford Film Festival

For those visiting Dartmoor in September, the six-day Chagford Film Festival is a popular annual fixture that features film screenings for children, workshops, competitions and quirky events including a flamboyant street parade.

There’s plenty to do for all members of the family, and it’s a great way to meet the local community. The full programme is published on the festival's website as the event approaches.

Widecombe Fair

Held on the second Tuesday in September, Widecombe Fair is a colourful annual event that typifies the agricultural traditions of rural Devon life. It’s a cherished annual favourite that brings the farming community together in a spirit of celebration and friendly competition.

A packed day of classes and events takes in impressive displays of farm animals, vintage cars and agricultural machinery, while stalls sell Devon crafts and delicious local produce. There’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained, including sheep shearing contests, dog and ferret racing and pony displays. As the day progresses, the local rivalry steps up a notch, with beefy farmers testing their mettle at hay bale throwing and a highly competitive tug of war. For parents and carers, there’s also a beer tent and live folk music. 

 

If you like the sound of this but aren’t around in September, take a look at this list of similar events that take place throughout the summer, including those in Dunsford (June), Lustleigh and Okehampton (both August).

Recreational activities

Treetop adventure courses 

Lots of people love a zipline – and the citizens of Dartmoor are among them. There are several locations on or close to Dartmoor where the whole family can go on a treetop adventure. Many of them have other exciting outdoor activities on their programme too. We’d recommend booking in advance. Here are just a few to try:

• Go Ape Haldon – treetop ziplines, bridges and nets in Haldon Forest Park
• Dare Devils – a high ropes course and ziplines, plus canoeing and kayaking, in the River Dart Country Park
• Tree Surfers – high ropes and ziplines in the Tamar Valley
• Adventure Okehampton – high ropes and abseiling, plus archery and axe throwing

 

Cycling on the Granite Way 

Start point: Okehampton Station

Riding a bike is healthy, environmentally friendly and fun. One of the best places for cycling on Dartmoor for families is the Granite Way, running along the edge of the moor between Okehampton and Lydford. It’s a gentle 11-mile (18-kilometre) off-road route through wooded valleys and across the spectacular 19th-century Meldon Viaduct, with great countryside views.

If you’d like to try it out, bikes are available to rent at Granite Way Cycles. The expert staff there will be happy to advise you on the route, and kit you out with everything you need for a great ride.

If you love life on two wheels, Pitchup’s guide to cycling on Dartmoor has more great ideas for where you can go for a family ride.

More handy resources 

The following sites all suggest some great ideas for Dartmoor family attractions, walks and days out.

Visit Dartmoor - official tourist website

Dartmoor National Park - official national park site

Visit Britain - guide to Dartmoor

Visit Devon - local guide to Dartmoor

Dartmoor’s legendary moorland landscapes, adventure parks, outdoor activities and cultural attractions make it a great choice for an exciting family holiday. Whether you love walking, cycling, exploring ancient sites or learning about nature, there’s plenty to keep children of all ages entertained. Millions of visitors every year can’t be wrong!     

 

If you’re looking for somewhere to stay, check out Pitchup’s campsites on Dartmoor.