20 Attractions to Explore Near Castle Drogo

Fingle Bridge is a Grade II * listed early 17th-century bridge across the River Teign near the village of Drewsteignton, in the north-east corner of Dartmoor National Park. The bridge sits in the base of the deep Teign Gorge, between the ancient hillforts of Prestonbury Castle 130 metres. This packhorse bridge has three arches and the two central piers are surrounded by triangular cutwaters extending upwards to form pedestrian refuges.

The miniature pony centre sitting on the edge of wild and magical Dartmoor in Devon is a hidden gem of all things small, cute and cuddly. Unicorns, Miniature Shetlands and their foals, Miniature Pigs, Harris, our Suffolk Punch horse, miniature, and Mammoth Donkeys are all waiting to meet you and your family when you visit us on the Dartmoor National Park.

Fernworthy is a great place to Discover the Dartmoor Story. It has an abundance of archaeology and is a haven for wildlife including some rare species. One of the beautiful reservoirs which is home to many water species and also the location is naturally beautiful for a picnic.

It is a heavily weathered granite outcrop. It consists of two separate rock masses which lie on a north-westerly alignment. The highest point of the tor is on the south-westerly pile which stands at 1,358ft. The site is administered by Dartmoor National Park Authority for English Heritage as it includes the ruins of a medieval village, alongside prehistoric works of stone construction nearby.

Situated on the southeastern edge of Dartmoor, Haytor has spectacular views across Dartmoor and the South Devon coast and offers good opportunities for you to experience Dartmoor’s fascinating past and the stunning wildlife and heritage within a short walk of the National Park Visitor Centre. One of the nice trekking destinations and also you can spend a nice time here.

Canonteign Falls is a stunning natural attraction in the heart of Devon that offers the perfect day out for the whole family Set in 90 acres of park and woodland. As well as the main waterfall itself there is also some smaller waterfalls, 7 lakes, 2 play parks, a cafe, a shop and giant bunnies. It is 220 feet high and is one of the highest waterfalls in England. It was created in 1890 by diverting a stream over the edge of a cliff.

High Willhays is the highest point on Dartmoor and in the UK south of the Brecon Beacons. Climb to the highest point on Dartmoor on this splendid circular walk in the Dartmoor National Park. The walk starts at the car park at Meldon Reservoir and takes you to the 621 metres (2,039 ft) summit via Longstone Hill and Black Tor.

The remains of the largest castle in Devon, in a stunning setting on a wooded spur above the rushing River Okement. Begun soon after the Norman Conquest as a motte and bailey castle with a stone keep, it was converted into a sumptuous residence in the 14th century by Hugh Courtenay, Earl of Devon, much of whose work survives. After the last Courtenay owner fell foul of Henry VIII in 1539, the castle declined into a ruin.

Dartmoor National Park is a vast moorland in the county of Devon. Covering 368 sq miles, this vast national park feels like it’s tumbled straight out of a Tolkien tome, with its honey-colored heaths, moss-smothered boulders, tinkling streams, and eerie granite hills. One of the iconic attractions in this area and gives a new experience in the middle of nature.

Meldon Reservoir is a local Dartmoor beauty spot in the northwest section of the National Park. The reservoir sits below Yes Tor and High Willhays which are the only two mountains in southern England. Explore open moorland, dramatic tors and a Scheduled Monument: boasting a special combination of industrial heritage, wildlife and nature trails, Meldon is the perfect location to enjoy a unique day outdoors.

Wistman's Wood is an ancient forest that has largely been left to grow wild, free of destruction, or shaping by humans or large animals. This National Nature Reserve of 170ha mainly consists of a model example of the upland heathland and has a wealth of moorland birds. Wistman’s Wood is in the Dart river valley and has views of wild Devon that you won’t find anywhere else in the country.

Devon Wildlife Trust is the only local charity dedicated to protecting wildlife and wild places across Devon - on land and at sea and its aim is to safeguard the future of the county's urban, rural and marine wildlife and its environment. It campaigns on a number of regional and national wildlife issues, and also looks after some 40 nature reserves including Sites of Special Scientific Interest such as Bystock, Dawlish Warren, Bovey Heath, Chudleigh Knighton Heath, and Dunsford.

A beautiful museum and art gallery which was located in Exeter, Devon. It holds significant and diverse collections in areas such as zoology, anthropology, fine art, local and overseas archaeology, and geology. the museum is housed in a Gothic Revival building of local New Red Sandstone that has undergone several extensions during its history.

Exeter Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral, and the seat of the Bishop of Exeter, in the city of Exeter, Devon in South West England. An impressive example of Gothic architecture situated in one of the oldest parts of the city, the building’s elaborate West-front displays a series of notable 14th Century figures, whilst its interior contains a variety of unusual features from across the ages.

Dartmoor Prison Museum reflects the heritage of HMP Dartmoor from Prisoner of War Depot to the present day. The museum attracts more than 35,000 visitors every year from all over the world. Some of the artifacts and documents on display will surprise you but will certainly enable you to form an opinion about prison life.

Haldon Forest Park is made up of 3,500 acres of woodland, just 15 minutes from Exeter. Open 364 days a year, it’s the perfect place to immerse yourself in the great outdoors. With miles of trails for walkers, runners, cyclists and horse riders, there’s something for everyone at Haldon Forest Park. One of the iconic attraction where you can spend some good time in the middle of nature.

The National Trust's Lydford Gorge, Devon, is the deepest gorge in the South West and has a spectacular 30m waterfall. The waterfall trail is a moderate circular walk of about an hour on a mostly one-way route. The gorge is designated a Site of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) for its geology, flora and fauna.

Buckfast Abbey is a modern Benedictine monastery in a peaceful setting on the verge of Dartmoor. . The monastery was surrendered for dissolution in 1539, with the monastic buildings stripped and left as ruins, before being finally demolished. The former abbey site was used as a quarry, and later became home to a Gothic mansion house.

The SDR is a seven mile former Great Western Railway branch line, built in 1872, which runs along the stunning valley of the River Dart between Buckfastleigh and Totnes. It is the longest established steam railway in the south west, celebrating over 50 years in preservation. The railway's headquarters and museum are located at Buckfastleigh railway station.

Buckfast butterfly farm with Dartmoor otter sanctuary is a wildlife centre in Buckfastleigh, Devon. It is an all-weather attraction run by a family who care for several types of otters. The butterfly farm is in a giant hot and humid greenhouse. There are usually a vast number of butterflies fluttering around. There are also several terrapins, Iguanas and Koi Karp. They also have an ant exhibit where you can see thousands of ants hard at work.