20 Attractions to Explore Near National Trust - Compton Castle

Berry Pomeroy Castle, a Tudor mansion within the walls of an earlier castle, is near the village of Berry Pomeroy, in South Devon. Begun in around 1560 and ambitiously enlarged from around 1600, their mansion was intended to become the most spectacular house in Devon, a match for Longleat and Audley End. Never completed, and abandoned by 1700, it became the focus of blood-curdling ghost stories, recounted in the audio tour.

One of the best-preserved examples of a Norman motte and bailey castle in England. Climb to the top of the keep to enjoy stunning views over the town of Totnes and across to the River Dart. Or enjoy a picnic in the peaceful grounds under the shelter of age-old trees - there is plenty of space for families to relax on a summer's day.

The 10-acre vineyard lies between 12m and 25m above sea level on south-facing, well-drained slopes – perfect for growing a range of carefully selected cool-climate grape varieties, from which 70,000 bottles of wine are made each year. One of the iconic locations Situated on the banks of the River Dart near Totnes in South Devon. Sharpham Wine & Cheese's vineyards and dairy farm have been producing carefully-made wines and cheeses for over 35 years to local, national, and international acclaim.

Staverton is a delightful, unspoiled country station that has remained largely unchanged for 100 years. This is a good place to alight for a quiet walk beside the river Dart and, maybe, a refreshment break at the Sea Trout Inn (when Auto Trains are running, then one can alight from these special trains at Nappers Crossing. Staverton Station has limited free car parking available.

It is the former holiday home of Agatha Christie and her family. It was situated in a large and romantic woodland garden which sweeps down the hillside towards the River Dart. Each room in the house is full of items collected by Christie and her family and brought to Greenway from her childhood home or archaeological digs with her second husband Max. One of the iconic attractions in this area and attracts a lot of tourists.

Dartmouth Steam Railway is a 6.7-mile heritage railway on the former Great Western Railway branch line between Paignton and Kingswear in Devon, England. The only attraction in Devon that lets you enjoy the delights of Torquay, Paignton, Brixham, Dartmouth and the River Dart, Kingswear, and Totnes on your day out.

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.

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.

Pennywell Farm is packed full of animals, activities, shows and displays. It’s the biggest activity farm in the South West and there’s something new happening every hour. It is a centre for the breeding of miniature pigs, a variant of the New Zealand kune kune breed.

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.

Woodlands Family Theme Park is the largest theme park in Devon, a fun-filled family day out for everyone. It has 11 action-packed Playzones with all-weather family fun to make your family day out special. Explore the incredible Zoo-Farm with 5 huge indoor barns full of wild, exotic, and cute animals and also there are much more to see and experience.

Coleton Fishacre is a wonderful country house in Art Deco style, set in a beautiful wooded valley on the south Devon coast near the mouth of the River Dart. The garden at Coleton Fishacre runs down a narrow combe from the house to the sea at Pudcombe Cove. It was originally planted by Lady Dorothy and features rare and exotic plants, some of which are unusual in their ability to grow.

One of the most beautifully located fortresses in England. For over 600 years Dartmouth Castle has guarded the narrow entrance to the Dart Estuary and the busy, vibrant port of Dartmouth. It offers stunning views of the estuary and out to sea and offers a great family day out, whatever the weather. This fascinating complex of defenses was begun in 1388 by John Hawley, privateering Mayor of Dartmouth and the prototype of the flamboyant ‘Shipman’ in Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales.

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.

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.

Blackpool Sands is one of South Devon’s most popular family-friendly beaches. The beach is stony rather than sandy, and therefore not suitable for younger children or the building of sandcastles. It is also an ideal place to start or finish a walk along this beautiful piece of South Devon coastline.

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.

Dawlish Warren is a beautiful Blue Flag family beach resort at the mouth of the Exe Estuary, near Exeter and Dawlish in South Devon. It offers more than just a traditional bucket and spade beach – it also boasts an internationally protected National Nature Reserve, a large grassed play area where you can enjoy a picnic, children’s amusements, shops, pubs, and cafes, all safely away from the road.

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.

Orcombe Point is the most westerly point of the Jurassic Coast, a World Heritage Site stretching from Exmouth to Old Harry Rocks near Swanage in Dorset. The dramatic red mudstone and sandstone reveal evidence of a previous desert environment crossed with seasonal life-giving rivers similar to Namibia today.