What to see on & around Dartmoor
Dartmoor is an ancient place with plenty of history to explore. Happily there are many newer places of interest within it and the surrounding area. We have grouped together some ideas in the following categories:-
Homes & Gardens -
Dartmoor -
Visitor Attractions -
Towns & Villages.
Using The Rosemont as your base you can explore some of the following.....
Homes & Gardens
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The Garden HouseJust 5 minutes away. |
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Buckland AbbeyBuilt in the 13th Century by Cistercian monks and later the home of Sir Francis Drake. Featuring a restored Elizabethan knot garden, extensive woodland trails with magnificient bluebells in spring. Events, special days and guided walks. |
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WildsideAn experiment in new naturalism - Keith and Ros Wiley have created an ambitious new garden where natural landscapes are still the inspiration for both planting and painting. Keith was at The Garden House for 25 years before creating Wildside. Very close to The Garden House and just a 10 minute drive.
Please check website for opening times. |
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SaltramFollow the scenic Plym valley cycle route which passes our door and goes to Saltram House and beyond. About 8 miles by bicycle, this country house features fine Robert Adams interiors. Varied programme of events throughout the year. |
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Mount Edgecumbe Across the water from the historic city of Plymouth lies the great Cornish House & Gardens of Mount Edgcumbe. Take a short trip aboard the Cremyl ferry across Plymouth Sound to visit this fine house and much admired gardens. |
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CoteheleA fine Tudor House on the banks of the River Tamar. Craft workshops and art exhibitions, great views from Prospect tower and home of restored sailing barge 'Shamrock'. Visit the watermill and see flour being produced. |
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Antony HouseRecently used as a locationa for Tim Burtons Alice in Wonderland featuring Jonny Depp as the Mad Hatter. The house offers a fine selection of paintings and furnishings. The main attraction is the Woodland Garden with its outstanding azaleas and rhododenrons. The gardens also house the National collection of daylillies. |
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Castle DrogoThe last castle in England to be built, Castle Drogo was designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens. Tours and activities throughout the year. Visitor centre and cafe specialising in local produce. |
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Lost Gardens of HeliganHeligan is one of the most mysterious estates in England. The award winning 'Lost Gardens of Heligan' are the scene of the largest garden restoration project in Europe. In the spring of 1991, the Gardens of Heligan lay under a blanket of bramble, ivy, rampant laurel and fallen timber. A year later, the restoration team opened the gardens to the public. |
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RHS RosemoorVisit RHS Garden Rosemoor and stroll around the enchanting 65-acre garden. Rosemoor is a garden of intoxicating beauty, meticulously crafted and planted, retaining the essence of rural North Devon within a dramatic backdrop of steep wooded valley sides. |
Dartmoor
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Burrator ReservoirJust a short distance from us lies Burrator reservoir, built to supply drinking water to Plymouth the reservoir is popular with walkers, cyclists and horse riders due to its wealth of footpaths and bridleways. Many of the trails lead on to Dartmoor so it makes an ideal starting point for longer trips. |
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Cadover BridgeA local beauty spot popular with visitors and locals alike. There are a number of off-road car parks, picnic area along the riverbank, pleasant walking onto the moors, upriver or downstream to Shaugh bridge. |
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PostbridgePostbridge is a small collection of buildings just a few miles from Yelverton. It has the finest example of a clapper bridge in the county. The bridge spans the East Dart river and is constructed from four large granite slabs. Each is 4m long, 2m wide and weigh over 8 tons and been placed there in the 12C. This type of bridge is unique to the Dartmoor area and draws visitors from across the world. |
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Lydford GorgeThe deepest gorge in the South West. The river Lyd plunges 30metres to create the Whitelady waterfall. A variety of long or short walks through the oak woods enjoying the flora and fauna. 25 minute drive. |
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DartmeetThe place where the West and East Dart rivers meet. An easily accessible visitor spot reached via some excellent views across Dartmoor and surrounding areas before heading down rthe steepsides of the valley to the confluence of these rivers. With walks and trails and because it is easly reached by car it is very popular. |
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Ditsworthy Warren / DrizzlecombeWell known and popular with locals with any number of trails that start and finish here. A short drive from The Rosemont it's a wonderful place on the moor to see the old granite roads used by tinners, ancient Standing Stones and for the more modern visitor Steven Speilberg has filmed some scenes for his next film 'War Horse' |
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DewerstoneThe Dewerstone is the site of an Iron Age Hill fort on a rocky promontory overlooking the River Plym. Affording a vista across Plymouth Sound to the South and into Cornwall to the west this tor is well worth the steep climb from Shaugh bridge to the top. Well known to climbers it provides classic low to mid-grade climbing. |
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Foxtor MireFoxtor Mire near Princetown is said to be the inspiration for the 'Great Grimpen Mire' in which the Naturalist and villain Stapleton sinks to his demise in the classic Sherlock Holmes novel 'The Hound of the Baskervilles' . |
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Princetown Granite RailwayIf you are new to walking on Dartmoor and don't want to stray off the beaten track or if you prefer a fairly gentle stroll, a walk along the old railway line from Princetown is an ideal route. Take a bus to Princetown and follow the track back to Yelverton. Also used as an off-road cycle route. |
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Crosses / Cairns / Standing Stones / Circles & MinesDartmoor is an ancient tract of land encompassing many prehistoric features such as stone circles, stone rows, menhirs, hillforts, cairns, and kists. It is probably because of Dartmoor's topology that they remain today, partly from the fact that agriculture, especially arable farming, is contained on the lower lands. Exploring and discovering are easy to do, an OS map and a stout pair of walking shoes will reveal many gems. |
Visitor Attractions
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Morwellham QuayLocation of BBC production of 'The Edwardian Farm', Morwellham is an award-winning World Heritage site, featuring historic port, copper mine , working Victorian farm, railway, heavy horses and museums of costume and mining. Just four miles west of Tavistock and bordering the beautiful River Tamar, amidst towering cliffs and gently rolling farmland. |
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Eden ProjectEden is built in a disused clay mine in Corwall transforming it into a rich, global garden. A million people now go there every year to enjoy and learn about nature and to get inspiration about the world around them. One of the UK's foremost attractions. 50 minutes by car from The Rosemont. |
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Yelverton Paperweight CentreHome to “The Broughton Collection”. This is an exhibition of hundreds of antique and modern glass paperweights, collected by Bernard Broughton over many years. The centre also sells paperweights and has many limited edition pieces from the leading glass studios. |
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Princetown Prison MuseumUnlocking the history of one of England's most famous prisons, Dartmoor Prison Museum reflects the heritage of HMP Dartmoor from Prisoner of War Depot for Napoleonic prisoners to the present day. The interesting collection of artefacts provides a unique insight into prison life both past and present. |
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Powdermills PotteryPowdermills Pottery is housed in granite buildings that were once part of a nineteenth century gunpowder factory. Located a few miles from Princetown,
Powdermills is the home and workplace of potter, Joss Hibbs. In the Shop, her range of pottery is sold alongside a range of housewares hand-crafted by thirty other Dartmoor craft-makers. |
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RAF HarrowbeerThe former RAF Harrowbeer Airfield is a stones throw from The Rosemont. Although sited in the Village of Yelverton, it was called 'Harrowbeer' in order to distinguish it from RNAS airfield at Yeovilton, Somerset. Now open moorland, various elements of this war time airfield can still be seen today. |
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Plymouth National Marine AquariumThe Plymouth Aquarium was the first in the UK to be set up solely for the purpose of education, conservation and research. It remains one of Britain's foremost aquarium with stunning exhibits and a reputation for excellence in education. It has a total of 50 live exhibits including three massive tanks, the largest of which – Britain’s deepest tank – holds 2.5 million litres of water. |
Towns & Villages
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TavistockRecently voted as one of the UK's best market towns, Tavistock is a popular day out for guests staying at The Rosemont. A wealth of independent shops together with the popular Farmers and Covered markets are well worth visiting. One of the ancient Stannary towns whose Abbey was founded in 961AD it remains an attractive town with the River Tavy flowing through it. |
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PlymouthDiscover Plymouth, a vibrant waterfront city, with a wealth of attractions and activities for all; a city set amidst some of England's most glorious countryside, where a rich maritime heritage co-exists with modern commerce. Visit The Hoe & Barbican, the Naval yards, find the Mayflower steps and take a boat trip around Plymouth Sound. |
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PrincetownOne of the highest towns in the UK it's most famous landmark is HMP Dartmoor, originally built by and for prisoners of the Napoleonic wars. Home of the High Moorland Visitor centre and recently opened Duchy Centre for Creativity, Princetown is often described as the capital of the High Moor and can attract the appropriate weather. |
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ChagfordChagford is another ancient Stannary town situated in NW Dartmoor. Although the tin mining that originally brought people to the town has ceased, Chagford still has a thriving community whilst maintaining an olde worlde character. It makes an pleasant day out from The Rosemont and the journey across the moor is delightful. |
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WidecombeA picture postcard village, Widecombe is most famous for it's Fair and Uncle Tom Cobbely references. Although very touristy in Summer it is still a pleasant stop off for a cream tea or follow the sign for the Rugglestone Inn. |
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Looe & PolperroLooe & Polperro can be reached within the hour and make for a good day out on the Cornish coast. Looe is the more traditional seaside town with a lovely sandy beach and plenty of shops selling ice-cream and pasties. Polperro is a very charming Cornish fishing village a few miles along the coast. Leave your car at the top and enjoy the narrow winding streets down to the picturesque harbour. |
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