A small place, but so worth a visit. Located near an old steam railway, this is a little gem. Hundreds of butterflies to look at (presumably only at certain times of the year?) and the otters are so comical. Lots and lots of activity in the otter enclosures and really useful viewing platforms to get the best look at them. You can even watch them swim underwater. There was great commentary for the otters which was very interesting. Excellent value for money and very educational for kids. I'd happily visit again.

Such a beautiful place, doing amazing work. The otters are in wonderful surroundings, and are clearly very well looked after. We watched a feeding time, and heard lots of fascinating information about the otters, their habitat, and the work of reintroducing them back into the wild. The butterfly farm is beautiful, with amazing insects and animals to observe. There is also a café by the steam railway station, which does a good selection of food and drinks. The staff at the Otter Sanctuary were very friendly, and happy to answer questions. Suitable for all ages.

Buckfastleigh Otter sanctuary and Butterfly park is a local tourist attraction well worth a visit and not far off the main A38 Devon Expressway. Prices here are £11 per adult and £8 per child and last all day and you may come and go as you please First point of note is that it's very hot inside so I would strip off before entering or you will regret it, but you certainly will not regret coming. Information boards are dotted around the place giving you identification of the moths and butterflies inside, many of which can be seen flying around your head and if you're lucky landing upon you. There is also a chrysalis nursery on show for all to see and I was lucky enough to watch a butterfly emerge for the first time and stretch its newly born wings. Nature at its most beautiful The otter sanctuary part of this establishment was pretty cool as well as you are able to get quite close to the otters. I arrived just before feeding time and boy did they know or taking their positions by the holes in the fences quietly waiting for food. There are dray viewing points and also underwater viewing points to see the otters in their almost natural habitats. In all Truth I feel that the cost of this place is slightly too much as they're really isn't much to see but considering that it goes into the running of this building to ensure that these animals are kept safe I feel it is worth it nonetheless. On entrance and exit you are welcome to the gift shop where you can buy all sorts of goodies to remember your day Second point of note is that the toilets aren't actually anywhere near the butterfly farm they are on the other side of Buck vastly station and it's a bit of a tromp especially if you have kids in tow. Overall a wonderful experience and one I would recommend trying out

This was a spur or the moment visit but well worth it. The butterfly’s are in a large enclosure that you can walk around and you will also so some other friends such as fish and turtles. The otters were outside and you could see lots of breeds, each having their own enclosure. We luckily made it for the 4pm feed and it was cool watching the otters have their dinner. With reasonable prices to get in, you will have a great day out here.

Went for an otter experience for my friend's 21st birthday and it turned out being the best day! Very nice staff and adorable otters, the rain didn't spoil any of it! We even had the chance to have a close look of the babies! Thank you for having us, we will come back to see the butterflies!

Excellent attraction to visit. Staff who run it are very knowledgeable about all of the different species of otters that are in the sanctuary. Very informative talks provided at each of the habitats at feeding times. The indoor butterfly greenhouse is also lovely. Very pleasant to walk around with all of the butterflies fluttering around your head.

What a lovely day out. My husband and I visited whilst on holiday and were more than impressed with the variety of butterflies at different life stages. Seeing the otters during feed was amazing and they were comical. Entry is not overpriced either. A really enjoyable few hours

We loved it here! Spent about an hour at the sanctuary, mostly during otter feeding time which was fantastic - definitely plan your day around the feeding time. The staff member was super knowledgeable and told us about the otter species and also the otters’ individual personalities. Very much recommend for a short trip out if you’re in the area.

An amazing experience and definitely worth the detour on our way home! We got to watch the otters being fed which was so fun and a great way to see all the otters. The butterflies were so beautiful and it was nice to see the turtles chilling in the water too. I have recommended this to friends and family and I’m definitely considering going back and feeding the otters

Great shared experience with the grandkids. So many different butterflies. A bit hard to catch with camera, but with patience you will succeed. Very tropical (hot) inside. The otters were also a great learning opportunity. Recommend!

AMAZING! We loved it here so much, the otters are the cutest things in the whole world and the butterfly room was just beautiful, with lots of love put into the planting and care of the plants. The staff were lovely and we got to learn a lot about how they care for the otters, about the individual otters and their personalities, what they eat etc. and we loved every minute of it!

Myself and my partner were fortunate enough to take part in an Otter Experience on Friday. We were accompanied by the wonderful and VERY knowledgeable Aimee, who made an already incredible experience just that bit more fantastic! All of the staff there are so helpful and welcoming. The experience itself was unforgettable and totally unique to this location. Being inside the enclosure, hand feeding the otters was amazing! If you love otters as much as my other half, or even just find them hella cute, I would absolutely recommend making a trip to Buckfast Butterflies & Otters. Thank you so much for the best experience ever! Worth every penny and so much more!

We got to go in to see the butterflies and otters as we had a ticket that included it with our train ride. The area where the butterflies were was just being filled with new plants which was a sea of gorgeous colour. Not many butterflies to see at the moment but the ones we did see were amazing. Some were hidden so you had to look carefully, some were happy to fly around you to have a good look. The otters were lovely. Active and cheeky. Lovely to go and visit for a short while. Love it here X thank you

I love otters so I was very excited to go here, the butterfly house is pretty and has lots of turtles, but unfortunately everywhere has seen its best days. Lots of it including the otter enclosures, could do with a bit of a revamp. Their is also not that many, its only a small place, we got lucky and a few of the otters were out playing, but if they hadn't been their isn't much else to see/do, although once you have paid you are free to come and go throughout the day which is good as their are other things to do in the area and plenty of parking.

Took myself on a little trip to see the Butterflies & Otters today & ended up having so much fun! It was such a wonderful day out. the feeding times are 11:30, 2:00 & 4:00. Sophie hosted the feed I saw & was so knowledgeable on all the otters & was really interactive with everyone there! Thank you for a great day 🦦

Such a sweet place for a day out. A greenhouse filled with loads of butterflies and 5 enclosures with otters. Feeding time is 11.30, 2 and 4. They offer feeding experiences too. Very knowledgeable staff give a talk about the otters as they are being fed. There is a little shop with some very lovely otters and butterfly inspired items. It is just around the corner from the steam train station too so you have multiple attractions in one area. By the steam room is a cafe that does snacks and full meals. Parking is free and there are plenty of spaces.

It's a great place for a small visit. Otters are very entertaining, and watching butterflies is a fun thing to do. There is a place to have some drinks,cake and ice cream. I definitely recommend this place

Thoroughly enjoyed our visit here. Our son was excited to see the otters, and whilst they were fun to watch I must say that it is the butterfly farm that is the star here. A wall of humid air hits you as you walk inside the large greenhouse and once you de-mist your glasses you find yourself surrounded by butterflies of sizes and colours you didn’t know existed. The circular path and the two bridges are wheelchair accessible and afford plenty of nooks and crannies to spot the residents. I genuinely could have stayed there all afternoon. As delightful as our party found this attraction it should be mentioned that Buckfast is an objectively small zoo; children may find their attention drifting after 30 minutes or so.

Great place to visit, a little pricy but under 3's go free so good for kids! The butterflies are beautiful and the otters are great fun to watch. Only downside is the particularly aggressive selling tactics of a charity hawker made it a little uncomfortable as we couldn't easily escape conversation and there was no way to avoid them. Felt a little weird to pay £40 for tickets and then be guilted into buying a membership to Wildlife Trust. (they're not associated with the sanctuary (I think) so I can't blame them, but it's just off that they're there in the first place)

My partner and I booked the experience and it certainly did not dissapoint. We had the lovely Sophie as our keeper for the day and she was very knowledgeable about the otters and explained the differences between the different species they had at the sanctuary. She also had some lovely stories about each otter and the naughty things they get up too. We were able to sit in with the small family of otters and hand feed them. We were also able to hold hands with the larger family of otters through a window in the enclosure. Honestly made my year. If you have a love of otters, or nature in general, I would highly recommend paying them a visit. The experience was arranged around the otters feeding times and it was totally up to them if they interacted with us or not. I really did feel the otters needs were put before ours (as they should be). Thank you Sophie and team for a wonderful experience I'll never forget.

The best animal’s experience we ever had! We absolutely loved it, the staff are amazing , they otters are so beautiful and friendly, we fed them as well with a member of the staff showing us how to do and explain everything about this gorgeous creatures! Thank you for this incredibile experience, highly recommended to anyone who wants to have a special day with animals. We will come back soon ! Alessandra and Jonathan

Lovely otters, looked after really well. Some good talks about them as well. They even offer a feeding experience which must be fun! Poor butterflies, although spectacularly colourful, got overlooked by most people. Not their fault, they're just not as cute as otters! Despite being quite a small space, there is plenty of room for all the different kind of otters

We've passed by on many an occasion on route to Plymouth, but my diary has never yet yielded the time to visit Buckfast Abbey until today. We arrived about 10 minutes before the gardens and shop opened and found the disabled parking easily accessible right outside the main gate. We made our way in, there was no charge for entry unlike some ecclesiastical establishments, there is a suggested donation minimum of £2 instead. Once inside the gatehouse, you are greeted by the fantastic vista of the wide-open green spaces and the domineering presence of the church. We made our way down the gentle slope towards what I called the lavender garden as it was full of English and ornamental lavender plants, where we stopped to take a few images of the church before many people could photobomb themselves in (unknowingly). Inside the church was just amazing, we were the only people in there and we were able to walk around in total silence and take our time to explore. We both marvelled at the huge organ at the rear of the church, with what looked like trumpets pointing out. Don't forget to look up.... or you'll miss the totally awesome gold mural/painting in the middle of the church (I've included an image here). Facilities wise, the restaurant was busy changing over from breakfast to lunch menu when we arrived, there were some pastry products available and a nice selection of sandwiches and rolls. The toilets were lovely and clean, the disabled facilities were easy to access and immaculate, I did like the automatic courtesy air spray as I entered, nice touch. On the way out we had to pass the shop, so it would be rude not to pop in and check out the wares, which I must say were very reasonable. We bought some pewter stag head pins for only £32.99. If you enjoy the peace and quiet and nothing but the sound of songbirds, then this is definitely the place for you to visit. We really enjoyed our morning visit and hope to return when my diary allows.

Absolutely stunning Abbey It's free to go around Has an amazing stained glass window. Huge ... Gift shop And a pizza eatery A water wheel .. DOG FRIENDLY in the grounds only ...

Really enjoyed stopping in on the grounds of the Abbey. Staff in and around the building were so pleasant and helpful. Grounds were in perfect condition and lots of little bits to explore. Plenty in the gift shop for those looking to pick up a memento. Have to say the new. Pizzeria at the mill looked nice but we never went in, in the end.

What an unexpected treasure this place is. It brings calmness to all that are there, place is full of surprises from free entry and free car parking to a beautiful environment that actually encourages you to walk on the grass. Meticulously maintained, we went on a wet day and still enjoyed wandering around. Garden shop with incredible plants, cafe with stunning food. All staff were lovely, knowledgeable and nothing was too much. Highly recommend.

This was suggested by my sister-in-law as a place to meet up and really enjoyed our visit. Pleasant walk around the gardens before we entered the church. We were delighted to find that a choir was practicing so lovely to have them in the background whilst we walked around. No charge but donations appreciated. There was a separate exhibition for which there was a small charge but we didn't have time to visit. Couple of good shops on site, and as the Abbey is Catholic, one of the shops stocked appropriate books, rosary beads etc. Also a restaurant on site.

Buckfast Abbey is a beautiful location, full of history. The beautiful award-winning gardens are complementing the outstanding Abbey. The ice creams are excellent and there is a café and shop. It is easy to get to with good parking. This is a location I will happily visit again and again.

A quiet place of reflection. The place is beautiful and serene, it is not an "in your face" education, seeing the life of the monks in a literal world through the display as you enter is informative. The story of the Abbey and how it was rebuilt by monks who were not skilled in masonry work is remarkable. It costs nothing (apart from what you spend in the shops - which cannot be helped) to go but gives you an appreciation of how life was in the past through to today. Thank you.

Was taken here has one of our in included trips on our coach holiday. Beautiful place to visit, inside the Abbey is really serene, walk around and wonder at the architecture, sit and contemplate in the quiet. It really is a wonderful place. After admiring the inside, take a stroll around the grounds and then pop into the tea room for refreshments.

Such a Beautiful place. So much to see around the whole site. Free parking. Fantastic food in the Grange restaurant. There is a Hotel next to the Abbey, called the Northgate Hotel. Very clean. Excellent Breakfast and very friendly Staff. Nothing is to much trouble.

Beautiful Abbey, definitely worth a visit. When we came there was a wedding going on which looked beautiful. The cafe and little shops are nice as well and there is plenty of parking which is great.

Wonderful historic Abbey. Site dates from 1018. Current Abbey constructed between 1906 and 1932. Bright and warm interior. Spectacular stained glass i. 1960s Chapel. Free to visit. Home to a working, live-in community of Monks who lead daily acts of worship. Extensive grounds and gardens to walk around; superb Cafe/ restaurant. Historic Methodist Chapel within grounds.

Lovely place to visit, it's like a gift to the people and visitors to Devon. Beautiful gardens, lovely Abbey, medieval hall. Totally free, including the car parking. Beat that!

We went on a Sunday. The Abby is stunning, however there are services being held so can only walk round inside between services. Wrong time of the year to visit as the gardens weren't in full bloom. It does however have little different gardens to walk around. None of the shops were open except for tge coffee shop.

The Abbey was very relaxing and peaceful. The gardens were lovely and well cared for. The story of Buckfast Abbey was very informative and inciting. This is one of the few religious places that is still free to visit. All they ask for is a donation if you want to. Inside the Abbey was spotless and the guides were very helpful. There were plenty of alters for reflection. The gift shop shelves were full of momentous at reasonable prices and the cafe food was fresh and tasty. Would definitely recommend for a day out . Thanks again for your hospitality.

We really enjoyed the exhibition, which was very interactive and the children really enjoyed it too. We had a sweet bite to eat from the cafe, followed by a tour of the beautiful Abbey and walked through the lavender gardens and the other beautifully designed gardens. I only wish we had got there earlier so we could have spent more time there. Very tranquil and just a lovely space to be in.

A lovely few hours around this historic Abbey. Some lovely architecture and lovely well kept gardens too. FREE entry but parking difficult as it gets VERY busy especially on a Sunday for a church service then a roast dinner after in the restaurant/Cafe area which is reasonable at £14.00pp (August 2023) I've done a few B&W photos of the Abbey and gardens

A place for contemplation or just a good day out - Buckfast abbey is a stunning place to visit, from the Abbey itself to the beautiful grounds and gardens, there is something here for everyone to enjoy. Tasty food on offer in the cafe and free entrance and parking ensures this is a popular place to visit! Just dont forget to make a small donation, which helps with the upkeep.

Buckfast Abbey is a fantastic place to visit especially because it's free. Yes, it's free. Make the most of the chance to walk around the grounds and steepe yourself in history and wonder. Absolutely magnificent. The Abbey itself is open to the public and services here can be joined in the rear Chapel. The main Abbey is a sight to behold, even if you're not religious, you will be wowed with is grandeur. There are lots of gardens to enjoy also. Iiked the Millennium Garden the most as the Deer statue was lovely . There is a restaurant onside called The Grange, but I would get a second mortgage if I were you as its very pricey. The restaurant is modern and roomy and is buffet style self serve. There is also veranda outside seating overlooking the Abbey. Overall, a positive and educational experience. Well worth a visit.

We went on a coach trip as part of our holiday. All facilities were kept immaculate. £2 charge for the museum and grounds. there was a gift shop and cafe however we didn't manage to visit or use as our time was limited.

Wow. Magnificent, immaculate Buckfast Abbey in beautifully kept grounds. Quite a lot of parking and an easy site to get around. You can also walk on the grass - indeed, you are encouraged to do so! Some very old buildings, well maintained and safe to move around. Cafés and restaurant and a pizzeria (Thursday to Saturday). But the Abbey! It is stunning, inside and if you're lucky, you might get to hear the organ in full voice!! Highly recommend - and it's free to visit!

Fascinating abbey; long history, recent building. Excellent pizza and weird buckfast tonic wine (brewed by the monks). Regardless of the weather - we had March rain - the kitchen, medicinal, lavender and sensory gardens are lovely to explore. There are a couple of tasteful shops and restaurants; the main church is stunning with gold, marble and plenty of light; the visitor centre has an excellent exhibition (£2 to enter) on the history of the abbey, the Benedictine order and Christianity within European. Parking and entry free. Exhibition £2.

I cannot explain the comfort this beautiful tranquil place gives me. I am not religious. You don't have to be here. The building is stunning. There's a lovely clean cafe with generous portions. The staff are calm and welcoming. You're not asked to pay a fee. Although I do like to give a donation. You can just sit in the Abbey or go into the chapel with its coloured window. There's a little gift shop and a couple of small peace gardens to have a wander around. Beautiful place.

Parking was free! Entry was free. Restaurant was nice and reasonably priced. Spent good couple of hours exploring. There was a museum (entry £2) but we decided too late to go and check it out it had closed early! If you haven’t already try a bottle of Buckfast Tonic Wine whilst your are there - so much loved by our friends North of the border!

A beautiful abbey church by Frederick Walters who was also behind the church at Ealing Abbey. Built on the footprint of the original monastery dissolved by Henry VIII in the 1530s. The current church was built by the returning monks including french and German. And completed just prior to the Second World War. The church indicates how a monastic church would like the sanctuary, quire and public space. The lady chapel statute of Our Lady of Buckfast is the reconstituted image of that destroyed in the reformation. On the south side chapel the hair shirt of St Thomas More is preserved. The grounds are extensive and includes a farm, the wine and beer factory and the Buckfast bees. Between the conference centre and abbey church are three gardens, physic, sensory and millennium. There is also a very nice pizzeria, a monastic interpretation centre on the history and life of the monks at Buckfast. A beautiful church in a beautiful place just by the Dartmoor national park.

Fantastic experience, even if you are not into the Steam Train era, it's an achievement in its self to protect our heritage, the carriages are just as l remember from when l was a child. Dog friendly and the staff are very helpful. The added bonus is easy free parking and a Butterfly and Otter Sanctuary.

We had an awesome day on the South Devon Railway today. They are so doggy friendly, ours were allowed to sit next to us on their towels on the seats. They were given doggy treats by one of the guards even before we set off. With a break for lunch we enjoyed 3 full return trips on day rover tickets so it was brilliant. Can't wait to go again soon. Thank you South Devon Railway staff for an excellent day out

Charming. Beautifully reconstructed and restored buildings. Lovely engines and carriages and lovely staff. Enjoyed every minute of going alongside the River Dart having tea and cake in the Buffet Carriage.

Very evocative I almost got a smut in my eye whilst stood on the bridge watching the train leave en route for Totnes. I found the museum fascinating . Lots to see for free even if you don't take the train. Super atmosphere in Buckfastleigh Station everyone else thoroughly enjoying it too. Did my soul good to visit today .

One of the top preserved railways. Buckfastleigh Station is well maintained, with lots to see with many of the locomotives stabled here and some undergoing maintenance. Nice cafe nearby and a model/ bookshop. The range of models is extensive in all gauges. Added attraction on site is the otter and butterfly attraction. (Didn't visit). Beautiful scenery for most of the journey with the rail line closely following the river Dart. We'll turned out locomotive and coaching stock.

Another great day out on the railways if Devon. This trip was from Buckfastleigh to Totnes and back. Beautiful views along the line; I would recommend riding in the end carriage if it is available as the views are tremendous. A well maintained Railway with regular services and friendly staff. We also visited the cafe at Buckfastleigh fir an enjoyable meal.

Decided to have a rest day and let someone else take the strain. Lovely ride on a steam railway in stunning countryside leaving buckfast you want to be on the right side for the best views. Staff are all really friendly and helpful as my wife is in a wheelchair they are always trying hard to make sure everything if perfect and they did.

This is a stunning steam railway journey. A proper trip down memory lane. We enjoyed travelling in the buffet car , watching the world go by. The river Dart alongside the train line. The staff and volunteers were very friendly and helpful. It was money very well spent.

I went Thursday and Friday during half term, all the volunteers were lovely! Everyone I spoke to was very friendly and for a rail enthusiast it’s definitely worth it. It was £17 (bargain!) for a day rover. I took a step onto the footplate as well and was allowed to ride in guards compartment when everywhere else was full. The Collett coaching stock is extremely authentic and you get beautiful views of the River Dart out the door. I asked about some of the locos and got a good detailed response and the buffet car food was nice. Only issue was mk1 coaches, but that’s just because they’re mk1 coaches and I’m not a fan of them. If you go there I’d recommend trying to get a compartment as it’s no extra cost but you can lean out the windows and get good shots easier. Definitely going again in March when it opens. You can get tickets very easily online or at any of the three beautifully presented stations. Overall a 9.5/10.

The Polar Express was just amazing, truly a magical experience, worth every penny, and more. My little boys absolutely loved every moment, the people were amazing, and Santa was so good. I can not recommend this enough to everyone, and my family will definitely be going next Christmas...

Fun Sunday lunch on the train in this exceptionally beautiful river valley. Steam engines and lots of other "memorabilia" adorn the stations. And there's a little museum & a model railway shop... The model railway includes Thomas the Tank Engine and Harry Potter's flying Ford Anglia!...

A fantastic trip on a comfortable well restored train. Lovely scenery in both directions. A lovely little museum at the station and a second small but informative museum about the Lee Moor railway in the garden and a lovely riverside path to explore and cafe for a cuppa while waiting for the train to arrive. Well worth a visit.

What a lovely day out! For me as a massive train enthusiast, it was perfect - the train was really comfortable, and the journey was nice and relaxing along the river dart. The wheelchair access, I feel I should mention, was good, as me my mum and my dad had a whole part of the buffet car to almost ourselves! ( the buffet car is one of the accessible coaches) overall a really lovely experience, lots ro do and a, like I said, lovely day our! Also, being a model railway fan, there was the biggest railway shop known to mankind! There was all you could ever need for a layout! The prices were quite reasonable too.

Hi all just been on the South Devon Railway. It's a must, I brought a group with me and the whole experience was great. Staff fantastic help on and off the train fantastic. Refreshments available on train and also at station. I made this trip many many years ago and the whole experience is as good as it was then. Well done boys and girls and all associated with this line.

Had a wonderful ploughman's lunch on board to celebrate a birthday and a wedding anniversary. It all went too quickly. The food was delicious and the staff were lovely.

Had a great day out on the South Devon Railway from Buckfastleigh to Totnes. Dogs welcome on the train for a small fee. Staff/volunteers were all friendly and the stations were lovely.

Lovely maintained railway and ride through the trees and meadows with the meandering Dart River. They also had refreshments on the train so a bonus. Thankyou

The South Devon railway at Buckfastleigh station. Really quite a nice place to visit considering it's free You can catch an old steam train or an old diesel train and travel along the railway from Buckfastleigh for £18 per adult and £12.50 per child. There is a cafe at the station and also a free museum if you care to look. There is also a Riverside walk a miniature railway a model railway and a model railway shop all for you to enjoy on site. Parking is shared by the otter and butterfly sanctuary but there is ample space for everybody with room for over 200 cars. A visit to the Polar Express can also be discovered here and I would definitely take the kids as it was amazing and I'm an adult. The staff here with friendly and happy to help and even took time to pose for a photograph outside the station itself, bravo gentlemen.

What a magical place ✨️ well done to all involved, from the parking staff to the actors all meticulously organised and so well done. Only quibble was the volume on the train (as an adult I was finding it very loud almost migraine triggering) so others with sensory needs must've also agreed. Otherwise perfect. Pleased to see some bits we're donated to the local food bank once it had finished its last day.

A wonderful shop, cafe and museum, as well as the steam train. The later trains were quiet and we had a choice of several lovely carriages to sit in. The train buffet served great hot chocolate and coffee. A Wonderful day out, worth every penny. We had the multi trip ticket for only £5 more and went up and down twice in the day.

Amazing day filled with lots of fun. Great food. Friendly staff. Easy to get there. We were here few times and always was queues everywhere. I guess it's a very popular place. If there are any events on it's very busy. Plenty of table to have a picnic.

Wonderful experience for animal lovers! Lots to do and a good structure to the day. There are many different animals and all seemed happy, healthy and stimulated. Our personal favourite activities were watching the pig racing and feeding the baby goats 🐐 We also loved sitting in the cuddle barn and holding a selection of animals, including piglets, rabbits and guinea pigs! Multiple places to grab a bite to eat/drink and picnic areas available too. Food on site was delicious, but a little expensive. Shaded kennel facilities for those who have dogs as they're not allowed onto the farm. I would recommend Pennywell farm to anyone! 🦄🐴🐢🐇🐁🐖🐐🦔🐏

A big hit with our daughter. So many animals to see, feed, and even a goat to try milking. The child had so much fun we went back a second time the next day. For adults, the view is gorgeous and the coffee is decent.

Devon is blessed with outstanding beauty so expect the farm to be lush and picturesque. We enjoyed it as a family trip,feeding and grooming animals, enjoying the tractor ride and the big show! Our favourite was baby animal cuddles! Mark and Lucy were fantastic at showing everyone around lest they miss any activities. Lucy, we loved the piggy race! Kids loved to get their activities stamped and we have preserved it as a souvenir. The lady at the reception counter ( sorry didn't get her name) was helpful and welcoming . The hot beverages were yummy.. especially the hot chocolate! The view from the tower was mesmerising. We will visit the farm again soon! Sharing some pics! You have to visit to experience it!

The place is so adorable, it is just how I imagined it would be. The trip there was worth it. The kids (baby goats) were so funny. MY mum and aunt went on this trip with me, they cuddled the piglets for such a long time. So soo many activities, you just don't get bored, something keeps on happening. It was a day well spent. They take good care of the animals as well.

We had a fantastic day at the Farm despite the rain. The views are just stunning, lovely picnic areas, plenty of animals and activities with them, tractor and train rides, trampolines bouncy castles , even a piggy race. The cafe serves delicious lunches, cakes and ice creams. The service from everyone was just superb, the best ones being Mark at the tills and the tractor driver. We're definitely coming back!

Bit of a last minute decision to change plans and come to Pennywell instead of other options. And, have to say we are so glad that we did. The whole place was so well run, with incredibly helpful and pleasant staff throughout. Loads of activities all very well scheduled and accessible to all. Kids (7 & 13) had a brilliant day. So much interaction with the animals and plenty other side quests to keep them happy. We spent just over 4.5-5 hours on site, enjoying some lunch (awesome pasties) and the time just flew in. Wish we'd maybe headed up earlier in the morning. Highly recommended to anyone visiting the area.

If you love animals then this is the place for you. The animals are happy and friendly and appear to have a great quality of life. What makes it an even more enjoyable trip is the team. Every staff member was lovely, warm and took the time to smile and speak to you. They really do make you feel welcome.

Thank you so much we had the best visit today. From the moment we arrived we were greeted by the most friendly and helpful staff I have ever come across. We had an action packed day and took part in all the activities - pony pampering, goat walking, goat milking, bottle feeding the goats, cuddling the baby piglets and other animals, ferret and pig racing. It really was so incredible to be able to get up so close to all the animals and they all looked so well looked after. My only complaint was it was hard cramming everything in, we will definitely be back. Thank you so much, I will recommend to everyone ❤️

Wow, what an incredible Christmas Nativity experience with my daughter and mum. We have had the most wonderful day at Pennywell Farm they have made this the most magical festive real life nativity experience, three hours full of festive magic, mulled wine, mince pies, toasting marshmallows, sweets, Santa & nativity animals. We will be back every year for sure. This day couldn’t be better, the staff were all outstanding. Thank you for making memories that will stay with us forever. ❄️🎅🐴🐷🌲

Lovely time with my friend! enjoyed seeing the animals and we loved the piglet cuddles and feeding the baby goats. Unfortunately it was absolutely pouring it down when we went so did leave earlier than we wanted but they did offer a free ticket to come another day and had overall amazing customer service. However as we drove from Tredegar after missing it when we were on holiday due to illness we didn't bother. All the animals are so sweet and it was a lot of fun for 2 animal loving adults 🐷🐐🐑

Amazing farm. One of the best. Very clean and the animals were so friendly. The piggy cuddles will melt your heart and the pig racing was absolutely hilarious!

Brilliant day out for the little ones and adults too . Piggy cuddles were wonderful and they run different activities with all the animals throughout the day so there is always something to do . Great value for money and all the animals look happy and well looked after. If you are in the area and looking for something to do with the children then I would highly recommend this for a day out , you can easily spend the whole day there and not get bored .

Without a doubt, the best farm we've ever visited (and we've been to A LOT)! There is enough to do to make it a three day trip - so many attractions for all ages and the entire family to enjoy. I recommend bringing your own food, as there isn't a huge range there, especially with fussy toddlers in tow! The food we did have was delicious though.

Action packed with events and things to do. Always a show or talk or animal interaction going on. Lovely setting and staff we're all super friendly and helpful. We even had a personalised welcome and intro to events on the farm by Ben.

Great day out, lots to do. Nice coffee shops, places to get food, pasties, sandwiches etc but also plenty of space to take a picnic! The half hourly sessions were great, all on a board and chose what you want to do. Great the little ones can use the train rides and tractors rides etc without additional cost. There are some extras like bumper bikes, so have a few £1 coins.

Extremely well set out so you get a chance to see everything. It's a fantastic place to take kids young and teenage age there is literally something for all ages. The tractor ride was brilliant. My little boy loved the different play areas. Our highlight of the day was getting to hold a baby pig absolutely amazing. Can't wait to come back 🙂🙂🙂🙂

Wow, what an absolutely fantastic day out! Every single staff member was so friendly, we spent the whole day here, from start to finish there was always something to do. You can see the animals are well looked after, we had the pleasure of meeting Oink, Cookie and their babies. The pumpkin patch is fabulous. Thank you for helping me and my son make the best memories :-)

Brilliant farm full of activities throughout the day. The big hits with my children were the mice holding, trampolines, pig racing and animal feeding. Lots of space and well looked after facilities. Would definitely recommend.

Pennywell is great. You do need dry weather for most of it but there was so much to do. Spring was great with all the baby animals and there was lots of options to hold. Going in with the miniature donkeys and pony's was lovely. There aren't many food options in the cafe especially for vegetarians, it was a vegetable pasty or an egg sandwich, and there weren't any vegan options. It's incredibly expensive to get in but a nice place to go for a treat.

We had an absolute blast at Pennywell farm and are already planning our next visit! There’s so much to do and it’s perfect for all ages. The staff are all very friendly and are full of information about the lovely animals. We especially enjoyed the piggy cuddles and the pig racing 😂 can’t wait to come back

A lovely way to spend your birthday 🎂 even at the grand old age of 60!!! The owner and all of the staff were absolutely lovely and made me feel like a kid again, with my special birthday rosette and being able to choose a free Teddy. Cuddling the micro piggies 🐷 was the highlight of my day. They were so cute and the best calming therapy you could wish for. I thoroughly recommend a visit, whatever your age!!!

What a fantastic farm , lots to do and see and take part in. The cuddles with the pigs was so cute. My husband and i learnt alot of information, the animals are well cared for and seem happy. It was the easter holidays so was really busy but you still could do everything. I would recommend buying tickets online and in advance. There are cafes and places to eat.

Love love love this place! Funny it had just as many grown ups as children wanting to cuddle the piggy's. Loads of activities through out the day and plenty of feeding and interactions with the animals. My wife's birthday and she loved it and the staff were beyond brilliant and made us feel very welcome.. The best!

I love Pennywell Farm. It's perfect a lovely day out. I have not been here for few years so today's visit was amazing. We got a lot of cuddles with a week old piglets and baby goats and other animals. Definitely recommend for a family day out!

A pleasant enough half day with mixed scenery and some focal points to build in en route. You need to be able to walk freely though.

place is pretty cool been here a few times with my mum and sister on holidays

Nearest thing you will get to being Indiana Jones in Devon, fabulous steeps in to the rock only for the sure footed, in the gorge itself

Scenes change as you walk through the gorge from peaceful to dramatic.

National trust nice walk

Looks like a place to go to

Really beautiful 🤩

Just such a wonderful place to visit and it’s free to enter! The children watched the glass blowing and walked around fascinated at the old games and marble runs. The gift shop is wonderful and so reasonably priced that even a penny-pinching person will end up buying something. Staff were very helpful and friendly. All in all definitely worth a visit!

Cool place to burn an hour or so. Very informative museum with tons of artifacts, good sized restaurant with loads of hit and cold options. Great to be able to go and watch the live glass blowing. Decent sized shop and plenty of marbles to purchase.

Loved this place! Had a great day with the kids, there was something for everyone right from our youngest (5) all the way through to the adults! Nicest loos I've ever seen too! Lots to enjoy! The brass rubbing kept the kids wanting to explore more! Would highly recommend!

Very nice museum. You can watch glass blowing in action. There is a cafe and toilets all with disabled access. The 1st floor is steps only to the clothing area (I could not see a lift when I went upstairs). It's great for families as marbles never die out. Plenty of parking and very easy to find

Took a slight detour on route back from Cornwall to visit on recommendation of a friend and was not disappointed. Lots to look at including the mesmerising giant marble run, the old kilns and the museum. Restaurant was pleasant with nice ambiance. It was raining when we visited so didn't get to spend long outside, but could see it would be a great place to spend an hour of two with space for the kids to run around. For us, was a great find and well worth setting aside a couple of hours to explore.

Popped in for a snack and found the place very interesting. Lovely interesting items in the shop. We shared a Devon cream tea, 2 scones, cream and jam and a coffee for £7. Would have been nice to have had butter too. Nice surroundings outdoors to sit and eat. Friendly service.

I did really like the house of marbles. I was a little disappointed by the glass blowing as at the time I was there maybe someone was getting a tutorial as there were 3 people working on one drinking glass looking thing. I may have been jealous that I want playing with the glass. It made me appreciate the time and cost of the items. Lots of lovely things to look at in the shop. The price to get in is reasonable (free) as I'm not sure there is much that can be charged for, the museums were just singular rooms with information in, a pretty one and the glass one. I think I would have liked to see more of their glass items for sale in their shop. I booked a table at their restaurant for lunch. It was quite busy. I chose the 2 score cream tea, I was done after 1 scone and 2 bits of the other one. I should have ordered only 1 scone and saved the extra £1 difference, but I'm greedy and on holiday. I was taken back by the toilets and how stylish they were. I also enjoyed the many marble runs.

Amazing. Hours of free stuff for the kids to do. A fantastic museum if glass and live glass works too. Totally recommend.

Went above and beyond to locate me a Christmas goose table decoration. Larger than expected but I'm so happy with it. It's absolutely stunning and I highly recommend this place. The museum is extremely interesting and the Christmas displays of decorations is wonderful. The staff are so helpful eager to help every way possible. We ate in the restaurant twice during our second visit. I added some feathers to my goose I like to believe it's an improvement.

Great place to visit on a rainy day, with free parking and free entry! Marble history museum, Pottery history museum and Glass blowing observation area. The marble runs are amazing! Excellent Cafe that serve tasty lunch meals. You can also buy a drink and watch your children play on the on site play park. I noticed a few well behaved dogs inside aswell. Overall it was a great experience. As a family we all enjoyed it very much. Allow a good hour for your visit And bring some money for the amazing gift shop!!

Really worth a visit. There's something compelling about seeing thousands of multicoloured glass balls of all shapes and sizes. The pottery and marble museum is interesting too. Cafe/restaurant is pretty good, at least my breakfast bap we decent, but a word of caution if sitting out in the sun. Outdoor tables are 'order on-line' via QR code, and the process is a bit slow and painful. Still, a pleasant and fun visit overall. Recommended.

I never tire of going here. It's brilliant for tourists and locals. You can watch glass blowing and many beautiful glass items being made. They sell these in the glass shop. In the main shop there's a huge variety of items for sale as well as marbles. It's also a great place to buy stocking fillers. Upstairs they sell clothes, bags, pretty lamps etc.. There's a pottery museum which is very interesting and marble runs including a massive one over the staies. The restaurant menu and food are superb. Outside there is a play area and a huge marble, England's largest, rotating in water. The staff in the shops and restaurant are friendly and helpful.

The perfect thing to do on a rainy day. There's a trail for children for a small cost, with brass rubbings dotted around. All but the top of the shop is wheelchair accessible. There's lots of bits to it - and so many interesting things to see such as the giant marbles and some very impressive marble runs. The glass studio was great too, you could watch them making items and glass blowing. The shop was really well stocked and reasonably priced at just 15p per small marble. The cake at the restaurant was amazing too, though it was busy so I definitely recommend booking if you want to eat there.

Great day out to chill free entry free parking good cafe a the biggest marble run in the world worth a visit

Interesting visit and a great option in awful weather. The marble races were particularly mesmerising, as was the glassmaking. I liked that the museum and glass-blowing studio entry and parking were free of charge. Really sensible as we spent loads in the beautiful gift shop! 😂

Excellent little place with a small but very interesting Marble museum with working mechanical marble runs (the giant wall marble run in the shop is pretty special), small pottery museum, viewing area for watching the glass artists at work, fun litle play area with variety of play things, a restaurant and large 2 level shop. All free entry and shop has a mixture of budget and more luxury goods Really lovely place and we spent about an hour here and would reccommend to anyone in the area, young or old alike!

Fantastic experience flying in a 737-800 simulation! Loved every minute of it. Team at the centre are very welcoming. The pilot who instructed me very friendly and helped me get over my pre-flight jitters. Flew from Milan to Geneva via Mont Blanc. Would definitely recommend and will be going back.

Brilliant experience for my stepdad. Very informative briefing too.

A little gem, one of the most history rich venues from the national trust. A great venue for kids and adults alike, expect to be busy for a few hours in the main grounds. Plenty of walks lasting four miles or under. A four out of five star due to the cafe visit… no welcome and a sausage roll (labelled a small meal) is nearly £4, the same with a sandwich and £6.95 for a scone with jam, massive joke for anyone trying to visit for lunch.

Had a wonderful sunny day at the Abbey. Garden is nice and well kept. Cafe is good. Clean toilet facilities. However, the exhibits inside the abbey is a bit lacking compared to many others we’ve visited. The volunteers & staffs were very nice and helpful. Ample parking. For £14.50 per person, it’s worth a visit.

Beautiful National Trust property. Extensively restored. Good range of walks around the extensive grounds. The Abbey is extremely interesting being the former home of Sir Francis Drake. Tavistock legend and Caribbean pillager. Car park is a short 5 minute walk but there is an electric car to the abbey of needed. Cafe, bookshop and plant sales

Beautiful place. All events we've been to, were great. Kids had lost of fun. Cafe is always busy, but food is really good. Very friendly and helpful staff.

Such a gorgeous place to visit. The gardens and plants were lovely. The displays and information in the house were very good. The cafe was clean and the food tasty. I'd recommend visiting on a sunny day if possible to get the best experience from the amazing gardens. Parking was free.

Lovely National Trust Abbey to visit. Interesting information about Sir Francis Drake in the Abbey. Lovely cafe and shop in a wonderful setting. Unable to take advantage of the stunning walks due to heavy rain the day we visited but definitely will be making a return visit

Fantastic place to spend a day. There's plenty to see and do, including a tour of Francis Drake's House with interactive displays, walks, craft shops, outside lawn games and a play area for the kids. The site is beautiful and serene with fascinating displays of agricultural tools and a breath taking great barn. The café serves delicious homemade meals and there is plenty of seating inside and out. A word of warning though..do not use your sat navigation to get there; you'll end up in the middle of nowhere down very tight lanes. Use the directions given on their website. Have fun!

We went specifically to see the barn as they decorate it, we wasn't disappointed. Another great display. Even had carol singing too which sounded amazing. Good also to look around the Abbey. Interesting rooms and displays to look at. The volunteers are always very happy talk and explain any of your queries. Highly recommended.

Loved our visit to festive Buckland Abbey, the river of light barn was great filled with lit Christmas trees. The volunteers were all helpful and knowledgable. The history was interesting and the exhibits informative. Loved the old furniture.

I was looking for a good coffee, walk in the countryside and a delicious lunch and found everything at Buckland! It was a much more extensive and varied place than I expected. I was pleased to find a good sized cafe in a building with character and started my visit with coffee. I went on to do the longer "blue" estate walk - it was only 3 miles on paths across fields and through woodland - but the quietness and solitude, the lush greenness, and sound of the river below, really gave me the sense that I'd found a piece of heaven. A delicious veggie chilli and cheese scone restored my energy levels, before a quick look around the house. I was surprised to discover that Sir Francis Drake had lived there and the house was more engaging than I'd expected. The gift shop was quite large and also sold plants. There was also a separate second hand bookshop and an art and craft workshop. I could easily have spent the whole day there, finding places to sit, relax and read. I'm already looking forward to my next visit!

National Trust: Beautiful place for walking around and visit. Nice Perspective, great garden and lovely natural atmosphere. Many historical ,memorable times available , looks like a small museum. That's good for adults but it is boring for children because it has not interested for kids . If they have some facilities for children should be useful because my children said very boring after visiting. Larg parking area, clean toilets and sometimes for for and drinking available.

Nice house and grounds, some good walks although the red walk at 2.5miles felt longer due to hills. Nice shop, some plants. Good displays inside about Sir Frances Drake. Nat Trust summer of fun was well done for kids.

Nice place to visit for a day out. Gardens are well kept and the house was amazing. Slice of cake was a bit expensive but worth it.

The Abbey itself is beautiful. We turned up on a cold winter day so didn't bother with the gardens. The Barn was dressed for Xmas, with the Ice Fayre in 15/1600s? London being the theme. Interesting and fun. Sadly, we felt extremely rushed going around the Abbey. Last entry at 3 (we entered at 2:50) and we were rushed around and scuttled out by 3:25. I understand that the staff may be set to finish at a certain time but if the house is set to close at 3:30 then last entries need to be 2:30 at the latest. The staff were all pleasant but seemed like they couldn't wait to get out of there.... With the exception of Cally, who had all the time and enthusiasm to discuss and answer questions. Would like to visit again with more time to experience it properly.

Stunning lovely grounds to walk around too. Beautiful views. Lots of interesting artifacts walking around the house with Beautiful furniture. Loved the ceilings.

Nice quiet location easily accessed from the moors, plenty of 🅿️ with toilet, easy walk to the entrance with cafe and outside seating, couple of shops and to the barn which is impressive. Dog friendly apart from inside the abbey, lovely gardens and there are specific walks through the estate. There were numerous activities for children/families outside the barn. The actual Abbey structure is beautiful and well maintained as are all outside spaces. I went in the doorway but it was a meet and greet by volunteers and I had someone visiting in front of me droning on a bit, I had restricted time so will review the internal space when I have had time to truly appreciate it. A lovely site, tranquil and worth a visit

Lovely gardens, amazing house. Very interesting layout of the house to depict the era of Sir Francis Drake. And an original Rembrandt. Will definitely return

My partner and I visited here at the end of October with our friends and their children (aged 1 and 5). We had a lovely day out. The building and its history are so interesting..we love Tudor history, so learning all about Sir Francis Drake was brilliant. The kids were in awe at the massive nautical paintings, whilst we enjoyed the Rembrandt self-portrait. The children (and adults!) enjoyed dressing up and also going onto the replica boat and learning through play as to how to navigate the seas- very engaging. The gardens were still blooming and looking beautiful. We bought a few books from the 2nd hand book shop. We enjoyed some hot drinks from the cafe. Easy to find, easy to park. We got in for free as National Trust members.

A stunning National Trust property offering an insight into the enchanting history of the abbey development over the years and Its repurpose as a grand Home. All of the volunteers here were helpful and offered extra insight into the property's details and its exquisite decoration. Abi sits on incredible grounds with beautiful walks throughout the gardens, and it is a lovely place to visit in the winter. The gardens come to life in the spring and summer.

A fascinating property with a very interesting history. The grounds have three marked walks of different lenths to suit all abilities.

Great place for children and fit adults. The area is beautiful and the Falls are attractive. If you find walking over rocks and tree stumps difficult then this may not be for you. The animals, birds, reptiles and insects on display are brilliant.

Amazing, good day out, take a harness for babies, no pram. There's a small cave half way down and you can find bats in there. Be careful of the spiders in there, many false widows! Highly recommend this place.

Well, this place really did surprise us, a great fun, active, day out, set in a fantastic scenic forest, which you can choose your own path, depending on whether you want a good workout or an easy stroll, but whichever you choose, trekking through the forest with the falls right there, is brilliant. To add to the day, is the animals and creatures area. Let's not forget the delicious ice-cream from the cafe on site. All in all, excellent value for money

Fantastic day out with the kids. They enjoyed the activities which kept them motivated to follow the trail. We did the blue trail which is ideal for anyone of walking age; we want to return with the older children to do the other trails. Lots to see and do. Talks from the animal keepers, opportunity to feed meerkats and see the snakes up close. The animal enclosures and buildings are wheelchair/buggy friendly but as the reserve is based around natural landscapes, the trails are not.

This is a must go if you are in the area. The tickets may seem pricey, but for the amount of stuff there is to do, it is so worth it. If you come before 1 p.m., you can do a Feed the Meerkats session (£1 pp). It was quite fun, especially since the keeper was nice and explained everything quite well. There's a bunch of other animals to check out, and the walks are really good as well (we did the blue trail, which was really pretty). It's definitely a place to visit!

Had no clue what this place was. Just stopped off on a drive with the kids and spent three wonderful hours here. Cost us £30ish for a family of four but well worth it for the conservation efforts the staff and owners of Becky Falls put in. Would go back again for sure. Kids loved it (they are 12 and 13 by the way).

Really enjoyed our time here. Fed the goats for 50p Wonderful variety of walking trails. Lovely climb up alongside the waterfalls. Wonderful even in wet weather. Warm restaurant with animal feeding times throughout the day. Meerkats, invert house, rabbits, pigs, goats, owl and chickens.

Amazing place. Don't want to spoil the surprises but a nice selection of animals to see but the star of the show are the falls and the trails down and back up. Red and blue blue trail is nice and easy, red trail definately.more strenuous as you go further down the river and it's not too bad going down but would want a relative level of fitness to get back up without it being too much of a struggle. The full route including the purple route, is the longest and goes the furthest down to the bottom, bit of far more difficult of a trail and it recommends good footwear. Which I found essential. No flip flops or loose fitting footwear on there and a good level of fitness as the ground will be quite difficult at times right alongside the rocky stream. Even if you don't do the full route, and just do the blue and red and leave the more difficult purple route, it's still a lovely, well worth it visit and walk. Highly recommend and bringing a picnic along is a great idea but there is a cafe at the top before you start and when you end of you want some refreshments or bites to eat. 5/5

Lovely place to visit, had a lovely day there, see all the animals and done some lovely walks. See the falls and had a lovely cream tea in the cafe on site. Parking was good. Booked on line for tickets really easy to book etc.

Quite unique. Animals too see, picturesque views everywhere. The walks down the stream are stunning, with easier trails for those that need it, finished off with a visit to the cafe on the way out. A nice way to spend a good few hours.

Great place to visit if you like prison or prison related stuff. It's just a museum so you don't get chance to see any prisoner. All the setup including the history nicely created with well explained manner.

Very welcoming. The lady at the desk was very lovely and full of knowledge. Lots of interesting information and stuff to see. Well priced for the experience as it is a small museum. Recommended along with a wonder on the moors

Great place to visit if your out there. Guy behind the counter was funny fella. Really enjoyed the info he gave me and my wife. Lots of amazing things to view. Bonus a great drive. Just watch out for the mad drivers. 👌

Great place to visit - very interesting location. Real prison over the road which is not accessible (unless you’re planning on going to prison?)

Great place to visit, really interesting facts about the prison now and on the past. Learn about famous prisoners. See lots of things made by prisoners, be it weapons or items like a guitar!!!

It was okay. Nice to see the history of the prison and also good to see the current prisoners trying to sell their products. However, the price seems a bit steep for a few rooms of history. The reservoir walk is a tiny 3 minute walk. The museum is dog friendly but there are some steep steps. Worth a visit? Absolutely, just wish the price was a little more competitive.

Excellent Museum, cheap entry. Good history of Dartmoor prison and local area. Good gift shop with items made by the prisoners. Dog friendly. Free parking.

Lots of detailed info to read. So very interesting. The flow seemed a bit disjointed. As there was masses of info on a4 paper in text and I am not the best reader. Would still reccomend not bad for the price but would make sure your up for standing and reading a lot. Loved the weather rock. Will be getting my own. No pics of inside allowed. So the only one I've included.

An interesting but slightly rustic and poor quality (infrastructure) museum that would be good if it wasn't so bloody shabby. Everything has been put together on the cheap, which is just the way we do things. Take your time and there is plenty to interest. Much of this though is written material and takes some time and patience to get through...you will struggle a bit to do this with children in tow. The Museum needs a refresh...it needs some money, a plan and some professional help.

A ramshackle but very interesting collection from Dartmoor Prison and its inmates that gives a good idea of the history and what it was (and is) like to be an inmate. The prisoner's creative work was my favourite part of the museum, especially the prison officer caricatures drawn, appropriately, on toilet paper tubes. Each face was uniquely sour and judgemental.

Amazing museum, very informative and the crafts made by the prisoners were so beautiful. Ended up going home with two gnomes painted by the prisoners

Over the years you hear and see a lot about this prison so it was good to be able to see for ourselves the history of Dartmoor prison. When you see some of the weapons that prisoners have made it must be a very frightening place but then you see a beautiful model of the Notre Dame Cathedral made from what looks like matchsticks and you realise not everyone puts their skills to destructive items. Well worth a visit.

A very quaint museum. Lots of information and history about the prison. Took roughly about 90 minutes to go round. We stopped on route to dodge the rain. Dogs are welcome.

Man I loved this place, as did my 16 year old son who's studying criminology. Local museums can be hit and miss but what's not to like about this: Napoleonic origins, US prisoners who brought their racism with them, wild escapes, a gallery of home made weapons, stories of riots, amazing prisoner arts and crafts (including ana amazing massive last supper painting, using the faces of fellow convicts). I could have stayed another hour. Informative, educational and fun.

So interesting. Very knowledgable gentleman on the reception desk. Not overly big inside, but definitely worth the visit.

A very interesting museum located in the old prison farm, so quite atmospheric! Lots of artefacts, items, photographs and written documentations relating to the building of the prison, the American Civil War and Napoleonic prisoners and moving forward to the present day. Lots of informative stories of past prisoners, prison officers, punishments, daily life, including scary displays of confiscated homemade weapons! It's well worth a visit.

Fascinating museum.Veey friendly and knowledgeable member of staff on hand to answer any questions you may have. Will definitely return

This is a great place for a day out but don't go and think you will get a top view of the waterfall the only view is of the mid way point, get your photos on the bridge at that point as the top of the waterfall the view is down it (which is more blocked by the viewing platform) and of the landscape. The walk is around 30 minutes to the top and isn't too hard, there are a few steep sections but nothing that's not manageable to even those that don't enjoy exercise. There are gardens to explore at the bottom aswell as a cafe with indoor and outdoor seating

Lovely couple of hours exploring the grounds here on route to a weekend away in Devon. Glad we stopped by, friendly team, beautiful ground that were child and dog friendly. Would come again. Recommend giving yourself at least 3 hours to enjoy leisurely

Fantastic! We visited during a stay nearby. A steep climb to the waterfall was definitely worth it as the view is amazing. Stout shoes are a must, whatever the weather. We visited when the weather wasn't brilliant during the week in mid-April, & it was fairly quiet. Fresh beech leaves & bluebells make for a great photo opportunity! The staff were amazing and friendly with nothing too much trouble. Would recommend the afternoon tea especially if you've an appetite! I would definitely recommend it, and we will be returning 😊

Thought it was expensive at first but it was well with the entry fee as you could spend all day there. The walk upto the falls us well worth the effort, stunning views all the way up and down and from a viewing platform at the top. The walk takes you through a fern garden complete with dinosaur!

An area of outstanding beauty. We were surprised over the height of the waterfall but what a view once you are up there. It is a bit of a climb but there is lots to see on the way up and down. As we finished there was a wedding taking place which apparently is quite a popular location for weddings. Look out for the fairy houses?

Beautiful place. The hill is very steep but the view is incredible. The pond has lots of trees with flowers. We were able to spot some bumblebees collecting pollen. The kitchen has a small but great selection of food at reasonable prices. A very recommended place to visit.

Such a beautiful place we ended up visiting twice. The walk to the top is very pretty and we enjoyed trying to find all of the gators along the way. Also the view from the top of stunning.

Visited on a wet morning but luckily it dried up enough to do the well signposted walk up the falls but was still quite wet underfoot - slippery in places but ok if you took your time. Friendly welcome from the staff, had a short queue to get in due to unfortunate timing but got through quickly. Lovely views and impressive falls, hard going in places if you aren't the fittest like me, but manageable! Good giftshop, cafe looked ok but we didn't try it, limited car parking especially if wet (the day we visited they said the overflow car park was unusable due to being too muddy) Overall nice visit, playground for the kids was quite good and let them have a run round!

Great weather on our brief visit. A steep walk up to falls, via forest and walk ways. The location, car parking, cafeteria, bathrooms, and picnic areas. Lots of additional water features and a newly planted maze, coming soon.

Fabulous little place, great walk to the top of the waterfall, with lots of places to stop and sit. Views are amazing, and there are lots of little treasures to spot, like the dinosaur, the hares, and the deer, and the poetry tree is really cute. Nice little cafe for a much needed drink and piece of cake at the end

A wonderful yet sometimes challenging walk to the top of the waterfall, but so worth it for the beauty on the way up and down. And that view from the top, stunning. Good walking shoes/trainers with grip are a must especially on a damp day. Surrounded by nature, waterfalls, fairy doors and fairies, and even a dinosaur. An amazing place.

Excellent place. Got a virgin voucher for entrance and cream tea for fathers day. Manager was very helpful and organised and ready for when we attended. The park was well kept and the waterfalls were amazing. Despite all the dry weather.

These waterfalls, gardens, and grounds are a wonderful discovery, located just a few miles from Chudleigh and the A38. They are easily accessible by car or bike. The staff were very welcoming and friendly at reception and in the cafe. The falls are reached by a well prepared pathway, with an approximately 90 rock step climb. There are tree roots in the mix too, so trainers or walling boots are recommended.

I always enjoy visiting Canonteign Falls, it's got a sense of peace even though it can get a lot of visitors. The staff are always helpful and welcoming, the catering is good. You can choose how much walking you do or don't do. The falls and the walk up is something I enjoy in all weathers - but that's not for everyone. I live locally and have an annual pass. The photos are from my most recent visit - there's loads more to see and photograph than I've included.

Beautiful walk and worth the price to get in! Views do not disappoint, quite steep at points and there are a number of steps to conquer before getting to the top but certainly worth the wait !!! Also lovely lakes and other sights to see around the area. Roughly takes 1hr - 1.5hr if you walk round to see it all. Cafe is very clean and tidy, and gift shop has a lot to offer. Toilet facilities are very smart and clean which is refreshing to see!

Nice walk up to the top of the falls and back down the other side, information and things to find along the way. Good cafe and gift shop

Nice tell around the falls with lots of educational/information points around. Play park for children. Toilets only at the beginning and end so go before you start. Views are amazing though. Cafe was friendly and the food yummy.

Best day of our holiday so far! Fabulous walks and views, well signposted and easy to follow. Bit steep in places and could be hard underfoot, not recommended for those less active. Lots for the kids to see and do. Spotting fairies and dinosaurs on the way!

Great little market offering a wide range of gifts, foods, drinks, crafts etc. we walked into town from our local cousins house as parking is an art form on a weekend apparently. It was quite busy but some of the items for sale were truly special. Totally worth a visit if you’re in the area.

Well worth a visit. An interesting selection of stalls inside with craft, antiques and clothing. On the outside there are cafes and small shops.

Lovely little area, worth a peruse if youre visiting. Lots of little places to visit and nice to walk around the street too. Its like a little flee market where you can buy lots of random little things; books, animal food, trinkets, antiques etc. Theres also a little cafe inside. Bought a nice little christmas ornament from one of the little shops.

I've been here numerous times but I still get excited walking through the old doors to this market. Lots of great stalls selling a wide range of vintage clothes, records and accessories as well as homemade crafts and food items. Also, several good cafes to relax and have a drink or bite to eat, before checking out all the gourmet shops selling cheeses, meats, cakes and other goodies.

I found the market very pleasant and a thriving place to visit. There are plenty of little cafes on the outside all serving hot and cold food and drinks. Inside the market lots of little stalls from cakes to toys to hats to pet goods. Thoroughly enjoyed it

Lovely shopping precinct including personal stalls, bric a brac, handmade. Outdoor/indoor and undercover dining. Superb public toilets. Parking close by. Access to all.

Not sure whether quaint and class go with each other... but it is what the pannier market is all about...there is something for everyone and when you have finished perusing and feel there is a need to rest your legs and top your energy reserves, then roll up to Bob's East End cafe. Light airy and warm you will not get high cuisine but you will get really good traditional dishes. Other good food outlets are available.

Stopped over while exploring Dartmoor. Small quiet town, beautiful. The market is a mix of everything. Quite interesting antique items. My wife bought a leather pouch made in Italy. Parking is a bit scarce. We parked at 1£ 1 hr max paid parking near the market. Public toilet is clean.

Lovely place to spend time browsing. A great mix of traders selling new and vintage goods. From arts and crafts to new outdoor clothing. Free to visit, but do check opening days. Also a good place to visit on a wet day as it's all indoors. In a beautiful very historic building. Surrounded by a trading quadrangle. Well worth a visit.

Lots of quality locally made crafts for sale and cafes like Dukes, special offer cake ( eg bakewell slice) and a coffee for £5.50

Loveliest indoor market - great historical setting and a great variation of stalls: local specialities, food, antiques, old bits and bobs, dog food, plants, hats - and nice cafés and eat-places all around. Tavistock, my favourite town in the westcountry! 🥰

Thoroughly enjoyed looking around the market, just on the outside there is a cheese shop ( wish I could remember the name) anyway, their cheese is unbelievably tasty. We plan on going there regularly to get our cheese now.

A great selection of local arts crafts, food and produce. Friendly stall holders, restaurants and cafes make this part of a great day out in Tavistock. Try the locally made pasties and relax for a coffee after your wander through the fascinating array of products... I loved the stall with ancient glass bottles and jars, there's something for everyone here...

One of the best in the South West. Different stalls on different days plus good food and drinks at Bob's Cafe

One name that clearly rings a bell of all the places I visited in Cornwall is Tavistock. For the clergy, there is good Anglican church , for the shoppers there a market and several shops to chose from

my son has just been on a residential with his school here and to say I am disappointed is an understatement! My son is a extremely fussy eater and we were promised on several occasions that it was absolutely not an issue for there team and they would even go out of their way to ensure they had the foods in ready for my sons stay that he would eat. This was his first trip away on his own and his main concern was his food and I promised him it would all be fine and he would get his normal food. This unfortunately was not the case and he actually ate hardly anything the time he was away and even had to come home a day early due to being starving and obviously lethargic due to lack of food. Feel very let down by them and for my son who actually loved the activities. Also I have emailed my complaints to them and had no response at all!!!

Camped for 3 nights over May half term 2023. Pitches are big sizes with ample of room for tent car and a space for kids to play. Some pitches even had 2 tents on them. We went as a group and managed to get 3 pitches together and at the far end of the camping area so was ideal. If going with others request you are all pitched next to each other. The kids loved the lake and esp the rope swing. They also loved the zip wire in the play park. As a parent I felt it was safe for my children (12 and 15) to go to the park on their own. We did eat out one lunch time, and for 3 adult size meals, a kids meal, and 1 round of drinks cost £72. Rest of time we used outer BBQ and hotplate. Card payments only. The tree where you can climb near the Manor House was great for the kids and adults! A great place for families. Maybe a little pricey for couples or adult friend groups as you may not use all the facilities.

I love this park. It is the perfect balance of being in nature and having all amenities available. The camping pitches are well kept and the children have loved the parks.

We had an amazing time, the site had so much to offer to keep the children busy. It's truly a beautiful place to stay the grounds are stunning with lots of hidden gems. The staff are amazing & always had time to chat & help even going above & beyond. Mia from the bar was fantastic & always had time to help from ordering food to phone issues. It's a lovely place to stay & would highly recommend & would love to visit again. Shelley & Maria

The new online booking system is good for peace of mind about parking however I think they should still offer tickets at the gate if there's spaces. We all know phone signal around dartmoor is spotty at best. I do always enjoy a drink and hot meal here after a paddle and the staff in the sawmill are always lovely.

Had great days out here! Better when sunny of course! Play grounds are great. Walks are great & the water play area is soo much fun! Cold though as river water so wet suits make the day last longer :)

Great site for family camping, we put Granny is the coach House so she had a proper bed and ensuite. The kids loved the large playgrounds and freedom to run around. The facilities are clean with the campsite team regularly cleaning the showers and loos. The pitches are well spaced and site is quite in the evening.

Didnt know we had to book before visit? Lovely place, cafe a little pricey but good food and portions. Staff nice and friendly.

Pros: - absolutely beautiful surroundings with the woods and river. - loads of different birds to hear and see - good selection of play areas for different ages Cons: - 50% more expensive than other campsites / holiday parks we stayed at out of season (£48/night for a grass pitch with electric in the middle of May!) - lucky if you can get the shop open - bathrooms and showers are nowhere near as good as cheaper parks we stayed on in Devon this week. Relatively clean with the odd cockroach. - no swimming pool, but that's where the river would normally come into play. Our 3 year old wasn't having any of it though! If the price was reasonable I would rate this place more as we love the surroundings.

Very good experience! Great bike trail, pump track and bike park. Insane facilities, including a really cool pirate ship and a massive park! But the one thing I was slightly annoyed about was the arcade machine. Although all the machines were very good, I couldn’t help but notice that my favourite machine, animal kaiser, was gone! But overall, a great place to visit, would definitely recommend it.

This is a fantastic campsite and holiday destination. It was recommended to us by our neighbours so we went for summer half term. What an amazing campsite! Huge pitches with electric. Good shower and toilet facilities. There are so many activities to do on site. We did the high ropes through the trees which was a real challenge but great fun. We al so did the 180 meter zip line which was brilliant. You can swim in the River Dart, a lake for kids and a great rope swing into a river pool. There are too many other family bits to mention. The restaurant and bar were good too. All the staff were really friendly and helpful. I can't praise this site enough and we will definitely be back next year.

I will preface this by saying I have not been there. I am sure it is a lovely park and campsite, but NOWHERE can justify £90 per night for a family of 4 with electric hookup. It's camping for god's sake. That is just pure greed.

Went there with school for a residential did nearly all the activities had lots of open space beautiful views comfortable beds in dorms good food lots of ways to entertain probably has every way in the book to entertain and can we just give a big round of applause to kian as he dressed up as luiji to entertain us 😀 (It was all a big prank by staff I think) would go again.

Love this place! There is so much open space. The kids love swinging on the rope swing into the river pool. Bike tracks are great . Outdoor activities are great and reasonably priced. Camping amenities are super clean with everything you need. Just wish we'd discovered it years ago!

Could have been perfect. Lots to do for lots of ages. Not too busy but can imagine it being so in the height of summer. Very well looked after clearly. The bad: customer service didn’t seem interested In genuinely helping. Our daughter has additional needs and we have often paid for days out that cost us a lot to then leave after 30/60mins. Often we ask to have a quick look around the avoid this. Websites/social media doesn’t always tell enough. We was told no as people just drive off (I shown my child was disabled) A refund was offered if it wasn’t suitable but it felt an unnecessary step. As it happens it wasn’t required at the facilities were great. Stocking at least one still drink might be sensible in the kiosks. Good but could be great.

Went here with VW Octoberfest for their Autumn festival. Lovely location and grounds. Really well kept campsite with everything you need. Kids will absolutely love it. Bring their wet suits for the lake. Food was first class..service too. Staff friendly and helpful. We are going back...and we only live 30 minutes away!!

Fantastic place and great activities for all. Must have visit. We camped onsite which was easy and great fun for the kids One of the best play parks around

Had such a nice time here and I would definitely go back. We took our toddler and she was able to guide a small pony around a little paddock. It may not seem like a lot but it was a magical experience for her, she's never done anything else like it. They even put a little riding helmet on her. I was really impressed with the way the whole place was run, so much to see and do, you could easily spend an entire day here with a kid a bit older than ours. We got there a bit late in the day and I feel like it would have been better to go in the morning, to see all the activities. The car park is quite large and the farm is pushchair and wheelchair friendly.

This is a really lovely place, plenty for kids to play on and activities throughout the day such as pony walking, grooming and feeding pigs You can go right in with the ponies and stroke and cuddle them.

Brilliant place if you like horses, ponies and donkeys. Play area for the kids and a great cafe too plus a lovely short nature walk too ideal for little legs! Plus miniature pigs, goats and sheep

Great visit, kids loved meeting the ponies and enjoyed the great family entertainer. We saw Dan the Hat (danthehat.co.uk) last time, but Mr Bubbles was also good on previous visits. Play area is well thought out, great activities inside and out for all ages. Staff are friendly, helpful and knowledgeable. Food and drinks are not over-inflated price wise. We had a brilliant day out with family, well recommended. Please consider zero mobile reception at this location. This could be a negative or a positive!

We really enjoyed this place. The staff are truly amazing! We could tell that the ponies and other animals are really well kept and looked after. We really enjoyed the story telling time and our son loved 'driving' the tractor. Nanny and grandad enjoyed listening to all the information about the ponies and are now contemplating getting two shetland ponies of their own. The play park is perfect for older and younger children. The food was also delicious. There really is something for everyone. We really enjoyed our day and will be back!

Amazing place to visit with kids or a couple who fancys a day out. Massive play areas, 5 massive trampolines, full day of free of activities. You can stroke every animal in there and walk through the pony fields, amazing to get up close. Good choice of ice creams and cafe does the usual food, prices were average. Definitely worth a visit 👍.

This was our 1st visit our 11 month old granddaughter loved seeing all the animals although the mammoth donkeys were definitely her favourite we spent 4 hours here and could definitely off stayed longer. The cafe portion sizes were very generous and plenty of high chairs available. We are now getting season tickets

Wow! What a place! Shame we didn't know about it before 😮 my son absolutely loved it and we didn't get to see it all! Massive queues today as it was the last day for them. Shame as it was probably the best attraction with live animals in Devon. Seemed to be well taken care of and really nicely done. All the best to the owners and it's a shame that this place is closing down however I understand that they needed to move on. Owners should be proud after seeing so many happy kids running around 😀 well done and all the best for the future... Shame that we will not be able to go there ever again 😮

Absolutely loved this place! It's so much bigger than I thought it would be. There's all kinds of horses, donkeys and ponies but also rabbits, bugs, mice, rats, ducks, turkeys and more besides! It's a bit of a tardis, doesn't appear huge but the more you adventure and follow the paths, the more you find. My very nearly 3 year old absolutely loved it. Highlight of our Devon holiday and we'll worth a visit!

Absolutely gorgeous charity gardens, lay out is so unusual, with many plants not featured in other gardens and plants for sale too! What more could you want! Maybe food, had a delicious coronation quiche with salad, so tasty. Well worth a visit.

We visited here on a recommendation and were so pleased that we did. Stunning gardens in June; wildflowers and naturalistic planting, beautiful trees, trails, and open spaces. The walled garden was very pretty and it wasn't too busy when we went. I should imagine it constantly changes through the seasons but always remains peaceful and beautiful. There is a nice little cafe offering some welcome shade and refreshments. Good coffee and v nice cake. Highly recommended.

Stunningly beautiful gardens, naturally laid out.Lovely restaurant with excellent food and coffee! Staff, particularly Christine made us feel very welcome! Definitely one of if not the best garden I have visited! Loved it !

What a treasure this is! Many quiet spots to sit and take in the scale and beauty of both the 'wild garden' and the wonderful walled garden. All the facilities you would want including a cafe for refreshments. Will visit again in the different seasons as sure to have interest at each.

Fabulous Christmas wreath making at Garden House. Wonderful instruction from Maria using beautiful foliage cut from the gardens. Great value for money and delicious afternoon tea in the cafe.

Such a lovely garden, even at this time of year. The snowdrops are spectacular at the moment and the crocus are lovely, too.

Beautiful gardens and amazing planting. From the summer garden to Acer Glade and the developing arboretum, we'll worth the entry

Saw all the fairies and dragons as well as the beautiful garden. Had a great time, even in the rain. The staff were absolutely lovely, making a real effort with my 3 year old and letting him help in the garden centre 🙂

We'd been meaning to visit for a while. The weather wasn't ideal, but we went anyway, as it was my birthday. Helpful staff, a lovely café and stunning gardens all made it a good visit. Stunning, in the promise of even better things to see later in the year when thousands more plants would be in flower. My 'birthday cake, was scrummy :)

Lovely garden with plenty to see right at the end of October. We loved the colours of the acers and there were any other late flowering plants around. The Gardeners and volunteers were both friendly and helpful. I would certainly hope to visit the garden again at a different time of year.