The best things to do in Dartmoor with kids

Home to rugged unspoiled scenery and wild ponies grazing on the local heather, you don’t need to be a long-distance hiker to visit Dartmoor with kids – so during our short stay in Exeter, I was determined to fit in at least a day in and around Dartmoor to see a few of the highlights.

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Our AirBNB in the city was only around half an hour’s drive from the edges of Dartmoor but it’s just as easy to reach if you’re staying on the south coast around Teignmouth and Shaldon, as we did last year, or further along the Devon coast.

And even if, like us, you only have a day or so to explore – and your kids (like mine) aren’t fans of long treks, there are some great easy walks and fun Dartmoor attractions to discover. My daughter was so won over, she’s decided to live here when she grows up…

On my day exploring Dartmoor with kids, we mixed some driving, walking to a couple of tors and visiting two attractions, but I’m also including some of the other options that I’ve tried and loved over the years.

Driving across Dartmoor with kids

Our first stop of the day was Buckland Abbey, on the edges of Dartmoor, so the driving route I created was part practicality and part exploration – and partly for my husband’s amusement!

You can also nip round the A38 and the A30 if you’re short of time and don’t mind a less picturesque route, as well as sticking to the ‘main’ B roads across the moor to avoid the single lane tracks.

We headed in to Dartmoor from the north past Chagford and over towards Lettaford, Postbridge and Two Bridges – along the way, after twisting through tree tunnels, the road rises above the moorland with some amazing views.

In August, the purple heather and yellow gorse were in bloom, brightening the greens and gold of the moorland – and as you cruise along keeping an eye out for the animals living on Dartmoor, it’s perfect to soak up some of the scenery.

There are sheep galore, some strolling nonchalantly across the road, others leaping unexpectedly from ferns, as well as cows: several shaggy horned specimens causing a minor roadblock at one point.

We manoeuvered very carefully around them (those horns are big!) although the cows seemed to accept this as their rightful due.

But the best animal spotting on Dartmoor with kids is the wild ponies: half a dozen, including a mother and foal, trotting towards us, the mother kicking out at an unwary fellow member of the herd who got too close to her baby.

Another bore a healed hoof mark, so we were just as respectfully wary of these beautiful creatures.

Add in a wild rabbit hopping into the hedgerow and a squirrel streaking up a tree and my daughter was in heaven.

From here, our route took us towards Princetown, home to HMP Dartmoor – a looming, brooding presence on the horizon – as well as Dartmoor Prison Museum, then onwards to Yelverton and Buckland Abbey.

On our return to Exeter, for another of the best Dartmoor driving routes, we took a different route via Tavistock towards Dartmeet, Widecombe in the Moor and Haytor Vale to Bovey Tracey – stopping along the way.

You could also detour to include several other Dartmoor attractions, not to mention stopping for some easy walks on Dartmoor with kids.

Walking on Dartmoor with kids

Whether you fancy a short stroll to get a taste of the moors with younger kids or a full-blown hike, you’ll find a string of options for family-friendly walks on Dartmoor.

If you’re looking to add more of a challenge to the day, try letterboxing on Dartmoor. The forerunner to geocaching, it’s a mix of treasure hunting and puzzle solving (plus some orienteering) with over 100 letterboxes to track down.

With older kids, you could re-tell some of Dartmoor’s legends and ghost stories as you walk – there’s a good reason Sir Arthur Conan Doyle was inspired to write the Hound of the Baskervilles here.

For more Dartmoor walks with kids, Visit Dartmoor has suggestions or check out the Dartmoor Walks for all the family guidebook, as well as Devon: 40 Coast and Country walks.

Saddle Tor and Hay Tor

One of the easiest walks to try is around Saddle Tor and Hay Tor – both are just a few minutes drive apart, or a short walk, and there’s parking nearby too.

A tor, incidentally, is the name for a group of free-standing rocks on top of a hill – some are almost like giant cairns, others can be easily scrambled up, the biggest need to be climbed.

We started off at Saddle Tor, where there were more wild ponies roaming around beneath the rocks and an easy climb for an eight-year-old (and a 40-something-year-old…) to get to the top to enjoy the views.

We could look out across to Hay Tor as well, silhouetted against the cloudy white sky.

My daughter had had so much fun bouncing on the springy grass, scrambling and clambering (as well as shouting ‘I’m the King of the world’ from the top, which I persuaded her was entirely essential) that we went straight over to tackle that next.

Hay Tor itself was a bit busier – on a cloudy day, there were still queues to get up the rocks, so be prepared to go early or share it with more people if the sun shines – and some parts are steeper, with metal rungs and rings driven into the rock to help you get up.

As we waited, the mist suddenly descended and the top of the tor vanished in the cloud, so we decided to cut our climb short – but even if you’ve got toddlers or a really tight schedule, you can’t go to Dartmoor with kids without trying at least an easy walk.

Houndtor and Bonehill Rocks are also nearby as more options to climb and look out across the moors.

Visit Lydford Gorge, near Tavistock

Head beyond Tavistock towards Lyford in the west and you can explore Lydford Gorge – the deepest gorge in the south west.

As well as the spectacular 30m waterfall known as the White Lady, there’s an hour-long walking trail to see it.

The river and wildlife are beautiful whether you’re visiting with spring flowers in bloom or autumn leaves on the trees and different trails lead you past some of the highlights, including the bubbling Devil’s Cauldron. Not buggy-friendly, although you can borrow carriers and there are tearooms at this National Trust site.

Wistman’s Wood

For one of the more unusual walks on Dartmoor with kids, there’s also the eerie Wistman’s Wood, whose gnarled, twisted, otherworldly trees remind me a little of Puzzlewood in the Forest of Dean.

You can follow a path from the Two Bridges hotel: allow a couple of hours to follow the five-mile circuit.

Tamar Trails

Choose from seven walks at Tamar Trails near Tavistock – the Mineral Railway Trail is the easiest and flat enough to do with a pushchair, while there are others which will take you close to the old mines of this part of Devon.

Makes a good option if you’re visiting the area for Lydford Gorge (scroll up for details) or an alternative if you’re looking to explore a new part of the area.

Canonteign Falls

As another alternative to Lydford Gorge, Canonteign Falls in the north-east of Dartmoor, close to Exeter, is the highest waterfall in Devon.

With 90 acres of grounds, woodland and lakes to explore, there’s a climb to reach the top of the manmade waterfall, but still doable with kids (as my friend Claire, blogger at Tinbox Traveller, discovered when she first climbed it with one daughter in a baby carrier).

Keep an eye out for the fairies and a dinosaur along the way too.

River Dart Country Park

You’ll find activities for all ages at River Dart Country Park , including a toddler playground, as well as zip wires, a wooden fort, a ropes and obstacle course, bike trail and adventure playground.

And that’s all before you consider the country park contains 90 acres of parkland to explore, all within Dartmoor National Park.

Hembury Woods, near Buckfastleigh

Wandering past the ancient oaks of Hembury Woods near Buckfastleigh is another lovely option to try if you’re visiting Dartmoor with kids.

The National Trust estate of Parke is nearby, where the grounds and woodland are open to explore as well.

Check out the Devon with Kids Facebook group for some great tips on more ideas of Dartmoor walks and place to visit in Devon too

Cycling on Dartmoor with kids

If you’d prefer to cycle rather than walk, there are bike trails galore as well as bridleways and other bike routes – you can’t cycle on the moor itself, unless it’s part of a route or designated bridleway.

One option which is perfect with kids is the Granite Way. An old railway line, it’s flat and mostly traffic-free, and runs between Okehampton and Lydford. Or Visit Dartmoor has tips on other cycle routes in the area.

If you don’t have your own wheels, check out Devon Cycle Hire on the edge of the Granite Way, which specialises in bike hire for families including child seats and tagalongs. Prebooking bikes is recommended – and you can also arrange for e-bikes (with a child seat) if you want to take it easy.

Family attractions on Dartmoor

We bookmarked our day around Dartmoor with kids with two of the area’s family attractions – beginning at Buckland Abbey and finishing at House of Marbles in Bovey Tracey, but that’s only two of the options when you’re exploring the Dartmoor area.

Buckland Abbey, Yelverton

This lovely National Trust site dates back over 750 years. As the name suggests, it was once an abbey, the last of the Cistercian abbeys to be built in England and Wales – it’s easy to imagine them farming this lush stretch of countryside, although many buildings are long gone since the Dissolution.

The house then passed into private hands, including Sir Francis Drake – my daughter explored the replica of the Golden Hind in Brixham when we visited some years ago, as well as our night voyage sleepover on the other replica, the Golden Hinde in London, so was intrigued to see his home.

Closed during our visit, there’s masses to discover inside – it’s really part museum, as well as part house. You can also explore the medieval Great Barn, which has hardly changed over the centuries since it was built, and even see a Rembrandt self-portrait during your visit.

The gardens themselves were lovely – there are often trails for kids, including one during our visit where you had to spot signs showing some of the plants and produce which the monks would have grown.

As well as honey – with hives still dotted around – and apples from the orchard (plus a huge cider press in the Great Barn), there were a few more unusual ones to find too.

Not just poppy and mandrake, but a barnacle tree – in medieval times, people believed the tree grew barnacles which geese then hatched out of – and vegetable lamb of tartary, another plant which supposedly grew sheep.

I did wonder if those monks had been hitting the medicinal herbs a bit hard.

As well as the different gardens, some packed with wildflowers, others with fruit trees, you can take one of the woodland walks – as the drizzle had started up again, we stuck to the shortest yellow route to get a taste.

The House of Marbles, Bovey Tracey

The House of Marbles is always one of my top picks for a free day out in Devon with kids – as well as being a great option for a rainy day in Devon.

A mix of museum, activity and shop, it’s very easy to while away an hour or so exploring. In the little museum telling the history of marbles, there are also the first of the marble runs you’ll encounter.

Along the way, you can spot other traditional children’s toys, information on how marbles are made and a marble making machine, which is believed to have churned out around 15 million marbles!

Moving on, you can see glassblowers demonstrating their skills, with some of the creations on display, from vases and paperweights to glasses and glass animals. It’s tricky to resist picking up a souvenir – be warned if you’re looking for a cheap day out!

A less pricy souvenir are the marbles, with the cheapest ones costing around 10p (and even some of the biggest, very satisfying to hold, are around a pound). Do head upstairs in the shop too for the huge marble run as well.

There’s also a small pottery museum: Devon has its own pottery history, with some of the pieces made in this area on display.

The Butterfly Farm and Otter Sanctuary, Buckfastleigh

The lovely Butterfly Farm and Otter Sanctuary is a perfect day out for kids who love animals, especially if you’re visiting Devon with younger kids.

Three species of otter live here, including native British ones, playful Asian short clawed and show-off North American river otters – you’ll have the best chance of seeing them all at feeding times, at 11.30am, 2pm and 4pm.

You can even book special child-friendly otter encounters if you’d like to get a bit closer.

A specially designed habitat houses the tropical butterflies, with dozens of different species showing off their brightly coloured wings – although do bear in mind that if you visit in winter, only a rare few are likely to be fluttering around.

Totnes Rare Breeds Farm

Another fabulous attraction in Devon with kids, you can cuddle a guinea pig or smooth the feathers of an Eagle Owl as you explore the Totnes Rare Breeds farm.

Set near the South Devon Steam Railway, it’s another perfect day out with toddlers, with the chance to spy a whole series of farm animals, as well as the beautiful owls.

There were previously joint tickets available to the farm, and the butterflies and otters at the Buckfastleigh sanctuary but these are currently unavailable. Do check directions on the website before visiting too, as sat navs often send you to the wrong address.

Pennywell Farm, Buckfastleigh

There’s more to discover at Pennywell Farm than just the animals – with a different activity taking place every 30 minutes, you could enjoy anything from watching pig racing to tractor rides.

Just listen for the bell every half-hour as something new starts, with everything on the daily timetable included in your ticket.

But the farm is also home to over 150 animals, including the miniature pigs (save some time for a cuddle), miniature donkeys, alpacas, hedgehogs, plenty of other farmyard favourites and a host of small fluffy creatures too.

Add in play areas, a bouncy castle, a small railway and cafe, and it’s a great Devon day out with kids – plus Dartmoor National Park is on the doorstep too.

South Devon Railway, Buckfastleigh to Totnes

With seven miles of railway running along the River Dart valley, the South Devon Railway takes you between Buckfastleigh and Totnes so you can enjoy the Devon countryside without any effort as your steam train puffs and chuffs along.

There are often special themed events, including Thomas the Tank Engine days and Christmas Santa specials

Although you can’t currently buy combined tickets to the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm and the Butterfly Farm and Otter Sanctuary in Buckfastleigh, it’s easy to visit them at either end of your train ride to make a full fun day out.

Dartmoor Zoo

And for some rather bigger animals, there’s also Dartmoor Zoo: 33 acres of parkland that’s home to endangered animals and known particularly for its big cats.

You’ll also find apes, birds and reptiles among the inhabitants, made famous by the real-life story behind We Bought a Zoo, with daily talks and some lovely gardens to explore too.

Castle Drogo

On the north side of Dartmoor, you can also explore the last castle to be built in England – Castle Drogo has recently undergone a major renovation project by the National Trust, and you can tour the house now all the scaffolding has come down.

There’s plenty to do in the grounds as well. Discover the miniature play house in the gardens, follow spotter trails and walk to the Teign Gorge.

Where to stay around Dartmoor with kids

We stayed at an AirBNB in Exeter for our trip, which made a great base to explore the city, Dartmoor and the coast but there are plenty of places to stay outside the city as well.

You can check out more self-catering cottages in Devon, including options near Exeter, or family-friendly hotels in Exeter, as well as finding more ideas of family-friendly accommodation in Devon in my ultimate guide for families.

*First published 2020, last updated 2026*

PIN FOR LATER: VISITING DARTMOOR WITH KIDS

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