Things to do in North Tawton and nearby Dartmoor. North Tawton is located close to the northern entrance of Dartmoor National Park.
Picturesque villages to visit along the way.
Things To Do
Castle Drogo
Designed and built by renowned 20th-century architect Sir Edwin Lutyens. Inspired by nearby Dartmoor and the ancient woodlands of the Teign gorge.
Castle Drogo Drewsteignton EX6 6PB
Dartmoor National Park
Dartmoor ponies roam freely amid the vast moorland of Dartmoor National Park. Craggy landscape, forests, rivers, wetlands and tors (rock formations).
North Tawton is located near to the northern entrance of Dartmoor National Park – 6.5 miles – 13 minutes drive to Whiddon Down, and then onwards to Chagford.
Dartmoor Railway Line
The Dartmoor Line reopened in 2021. The first line to be reinstated under the Department for Transport’s ‘Restoring your Railway’ initiative.
Network Rail, GWR and partners worked closely to achieve the common aim of restoring passenger rail services to Okehampton by the end of 2021.
After nearly 50 years, daily passenger rail services returned to Okehampton.
Dartmoor Line website.
Okehampton Railway Station, Okehampton EX20 1EJ
Finch Foundry
Finch Foundry is a 19th-century water-powered forge situated in the village of Sticklepath near Okehampton.
Originally, it was used to produce agricultural and mining hand tools and at its peak produced around 400 edge-tools a day.
Finch Foundry Sticklepath, Okehampton EX20 2NW
Fingle Woods
Fingle Woods is an 825 acre ancient woodland site located in the Teign Valley on the northern fringes of Dartmoor National Park. It is located downstream of Fingle Bridge on the southern side of the river.
The National Trust in partnership with the Woodland Trust – secured the future of Fingle Woods and the thousands of plants and animals that call this place home.
Fingle Woods Drewsteignton EX6 6PW
Fishing
Open to the public on a day ticket basis.
Higher lake and lower lake.
Spires Fishing Lakes nearby North Tawton Town
Hidden Valley Discovery Park
The most puzzliest place in Cornwall.
Hidden gem that provides entertainment for all the family.
Hidden Valley is full of puzzles, mystery, missions, and secrets. All waiting for you to discover. A truly extraordinary experience for everyone.
Hidden Valley Discovery Park, Tredidon, St Thomas, Launceston PL15 8SJ
Moretonhampstead Motor Museum
Vintage Cars and Motorcycles. Motoring Artefacts.
Wonderful collection of restored classic cars and motorcycles.
Moretonhampstead Motor Museum The Old Bus Depot, Court Street, Mortetonhampstead TQ13 8LG
Museum of Dartmoor Life
Museum of Dartmoor Life is housed in a three storey early 19th century Mill in Okehampton. The waterwheel remains in situ.
The Museum is open from March to October.
Museum of Dartmoor Life 3 West St, Okehampton EX20 1HQ
New Carlton Cinema
Film Releases and Stage to Screen Event Cinema performances.
Stage to Screen Concerts, National Theatre Live, Royal Ballet and Royal Opera House.
New Carlton Cinema has wheelchair spaces in screens 1 and 2. Screen 3 is accessed by a staircase.
New Carlton Cinema, Market Street, Okehampton, Devon EX20 1HN
North Tawton Walks
North Tawton scenic walks alongside the River Taw and Tarka Trail (3 miles) and picturesque Bondleigh (6 miles).
Tarka Trail walking route maps available: Tarka Trail Walks
Okehampton Castle
Situated on the crest of a wooded hill to the west of the Okehampton town are the remains of a once impressive Norman motte and bailey castle; the largest medieval castle in Devon.
The picturesque ruins are still quite substantial, despite orders for its total destruction by Henry VIII after the owner, the Earl of Devon, was found guilty of high treason.
The castle is operated as a tourist attraction by English Heritage.
Okehampton Castle Castle Lodge, Okehampton EX20 1JA
Okehampton Golf Club
The Course with Moor – sheltered by the highest tors of Dartmoor, on the northern edge of Dartmoor National Park.
Okehampton Golf Club, Tors Road, Okehampton EX20 1EF
Outdoor Swimming Pool
Chagford open air, river fed public swimming pool. Situated on the northern edge of Dartmoor National Park. Open late May to early September. Snacks and refreshments available.
Rushford, Chagford, Newton Abbot TQ13 8DA
RHS Garden Rosemoor
Beautiful public display garden run by the Royal Horticultural Society, in Torrington, Devon.
Rosemoor garden is surrounded by 100 acres plus of woodland. The River Torridge runs along the western border.
RHS Garden Rosemoor, Torrington EX38 8PH
The Granite Way
The Granite Way is a scenic 11 mile cycle and walkway from Okehampton to Lydford along the north western edge of Dartmoor.
Part of the National Cycle Network Devon Coast to Coast Route 27.
The Granite Way offers good views of the granite landscape of Dartmoor, and specific sites of geological interest.
The Miniature Pony Centre Dartmoor
Plenty of attractions at The Miniature Pony Centre Dartmoor to suit all ages, with pony care days and indoor play areas.
Miniature Shetlands and Horses. Goats, Alpacas and Mule. Foals. Mediterranean Donkeys. Birds and Poultry.
Pets Paddock: Rabbits, Guinea Pigs and Ferrets.
Enjoy walks around the beautiful gardens and parkland.
The Miniature Pony Centre Dartmoor TQ13 8RG
The Sculpture School
Figurative Sculpture know-how and techniques. Representational.
The Sculpture School, Burnswood Studios, Burnswood Cottage, Bondleigh, North Tawton EX20 2AP
The Tarka Trail
Illustrated guide map for the Tarka Trail walk alongside the River Taw and throughout the North and South Loop.
Trethorne Leisure Park
Indoor and Outdoor Play areas and Animal Barn.
Ten Pin Bowling and Dodgems. Fun day out for all ages. Restaurant.
Trethorne Leisure Park Kennards House, Launceston PL15 8QE
Waie 2 Play
The Waie Inn family fun – indoors and outdoors – includes purpose-built Waie 2 Play Barn with lots of safe indoor play equipment and soft play activities.
There is an overlooking coffee bar to enable the adults to relax and watch the children having fun.
The heated indoor swimming pool is open for public swimming 7 days a week.
The Waie Inn Zeal Monachorum, Crediton EX17 6DF
War Horse Valley Country Farm Park
Parsonage Farm is the farm around which the book War Horse by Michael Morpurgo was set, along with the parish of Iddesleigh.
Explore War Horse Valley and its farming history and wartime stories.
Museum with World War One Exhibition and War Horse Exhibition.
I have never before, in my long and eclectic career, been gifted with such an abundance of natural beauty as I experienced filming War Horse on Dartmoor.
Steven Spielberg
Tea Room serving delicious Devonshire Cream Teas.
War Horse Valley Country Farm Park, Parsonage Farm, Winkleigh EX19 8SN
Woolley Animals
Alpaca Walking for all ages.
Meet the Pygmy and Golden Guernsey Goats and Valais Blacknose Lambs.
Miniature donkeys, pygmy goats, shetland ponies, goats and kids, rabbits, guinea pigs, ducks and chickens.
No need to book to visit the animals.
Flat rate admission fee of £4.00 per person for anyone 2 years old and over.
Alpaca Walking is by appointment – please book in advance 01769 520300.
Woolley Animals, Venton Farm, Winkleigh EX19 8AN
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