Best Dartmoor Rainy Day Things To Do, Dartmoor, Dartmoor National Park
There are plenty of things to do on, and around, Dartmoor when it rains. We list ideas below by theme. When it's raining hard, head indoors. If it's light rain there are still plenty of things to experience outdoors. Browse the list and photo gallery for inspiration.
Museums
Museum of Dartmoor Life. Located in Okehampton by the A30 and north border of the National Park, the Museum of Dartmoor Life tells the story of Dartmoor and its people. Top place in rain or shine and highly recommended if you want to know more about Dartmoor when on holiday in the National Park.
Dartmoor Prison Museum. Fascinating place. A huge amount of information is crammed into a small space by Dartmoor's famous prison. Situated in Princetown in the heart of the National Park. Also visit the award winning Princetown National Park Visitor Centre whilst you are there.
Moretonhampstead Motor Museum. Quirky, brilliant museum in Moretonhampstead.
Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) in Exeter. Exeter is a short drive or bus trip from Dartmoor. Exeter's Royal Albert Memorial Museum & Art Gallery (RAMM) is well worth the effort visiting. A mini British Museum, we love this place and visit regularly.
Torre Abbey in Torquay. If you're into history and culture then this is a must see attraction in the Westcountry. Amazing place.
Torquay Museum in Torquay. Another excellent Westcountry museum. Tie in with a trip to Kents Cavern prehistoric cave in Torquay.
National Park Visitor Centres
Princetown National Park Visitor Centre. Dartmoor National Park Authority's flagship visitor centre has won many awards over the years. Tells the story of Dartmoor and is packed with visitor information. Cool place to shop local product as well.
Postbridge National Park Visitor Centre. A visitor centre on two floors. Go upstairs to discover Dartmoor's internationally important prehistory.
Haytor National Park Visitor Centre. Visitor centre below Dartmoor's most famous tor.
National Trust
Castle Drogo (National Trust). One of the Westcountry's finest National Trust properties is located near Chagford in the north east section of Dartmoor. Even if it's raining, we'd recommend walking in the Teign Gorge whilst you are there.
Finch Foundry (National Trust). A small but wonderful National Trust property in the pretty village Sticklepath on the north border of Dartmoor.
Lydford Gorge (National Trust). Gorge and waterfall. Arguably the best time to visit this place is during a spell of heavy rain when the river and waterfalls swell. Awesome noise in the upper section of the gorge.
Buckland Abbey (National Trust). Visit the home of Sir Francis Drake just beyond the south west border of Dartmoor in the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
Parke Estate (National Trust). Located on the outskirts of Bovey Tracey. Home to the Dartmoor Pony Heritage Trust Education and Visitor Centre and Home Farm Cafe, miles of walking trails and some magnificent views.
Saltram House. Situated between Dartmoor and Plymouth. Big house in super grounds.
Other attractions
House of Marbles and Teign Valley Glass. Shopping, history and the arts under one roof. Very popular attraction located by Bovey Tracey.
South Devon Railway. A classic Devon visitor attraction that runs between Buckfastleigh and Totnes. Note that at the Buckfastleigh end of the railway line is Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterflies and at the Totnes end is Totnes Rare Breeds Farm.
Buckfast Abbey. Buckfast is by the A38 and Buckfastleigh. Fascinating place. Always difficult to comprehend that it took no more than six men thirty years to construct the building.
Morwellham Quay UNESCO World Heritage Site. Part of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this is a remarkable attraction in a remarkable location. West of Dartmoor in the Tamar Valley Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth. If it's lashing down, this is one of our top visitor spots.
Wildlife
Dartmoor Zoo. Just south of Dartmoor between the National Park and the South Devon coast. Very popular, even in light rain!
Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterflies. There are indoor and outdoor sections to enjoy. Watching otters swim is a joy.
The Miniature Pony Centre. One of Dartmoor's most popular family attractions located near Moretonhampstead.
Pennywell Farm. And one of Dartmoor and South Devon's most popular young family attractions situated by the east border of the National Park.
Waterfalls
These waterfalls are stunning during, or after, a period of rain:
Lydford Gorge White Lady Waterfall in Lydford Gorge (National Trust).
Becky Falls Waterfalls in Becky Falls Ancient Woodland Park.
Lady Exmouth Falls highest waterfall in England in Canonteign Falls.
Outdoor swimming pools
Swim in the rain at one of Dartmoor's many outdoor swimming pools. We'd recommend:
Chagford Swimming Pool (Outdoor).
Moretonhampstead Swimming Pool (Outdoor).
Wild swimming
Alternatively, enjoy a wild swim:
Kids
Whilst kids can enjoy all the above, here are other ideas for what to do with kids on a rainy day on Dartmoor. We include attractions in the surrounding area:
River Dart Country Park. Country and outdoor adventure park near Ashburton in the east section of the National Park. One of Dartmoor's most popular family attractions.
For safe, indoor climbing try Dart Rock Climbing Centre, River Dart Adventures Climbing Centre (in River Dart Country Park) and The Quay Climbing Centre (Exeter).
Woodlands Park is an adventure park situated close to Dartmouth and Slapton Sands on the South Devon coast.
Crealy Great Adventure Park is located east of Exeter in East Devon.
Living Coasts in Torquay. Brilliant coastal zoo on the waterfront at Torquay.
Splashdown Quaywest in Paignton. Bills itself as the UK's biggest outdoor waterpark. We've spent many great days with the kids at Splashdown Quaywest. Stunning location overlooking Goodrington Sands and Tor Bay in The English Riviera.
Kents Cavern is a show cave situated near the centre of Torquay in the north east section of The English Riviera.
Paignton Zoo in Paignton. Major Devon attraction on the outskirts of Paignton in The English Riviera.
Babbacombe Model Village in Babbacombe.
Bygones in Babbacombe.
Food and drink
Last, if you're looking for a cosy pub or extraordinary food then browse these listings:
Photo Gallery
