Things To Do near Totnes

East Dart Head, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 20 miles away)

On Dartmoor's north plateau, in a bowl of moorland below some of the National Park's highest hills, are the headwaters of the East Dart River. It's a remote, strangely intoxicating area far away from villages and towns. After periods of wet weather, the land is boggy and unpleasant to walk across. I...

Hangingstone Hill, Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 20 miles away)

At 603 metres above sea level, Hangingstone Hill is the joint third highest point in Dartmoor National Park (Cut Hill is also marked 603 on the Ordnance Survey Explorer OL28 'Dartmoor' map). It's topped by a small, rocky outcrop and an army hut. Whilst there are superb views across Dartmoor's n...

White Tor Fort/Neolithic Enclosure, Peter Tavy, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 20 miles away)

If you're interested in the history and prehistory of Dartmoor National Park, buy a copy of Phil Newman's 'The Field Archaeology of Dartmoor'. In chapter 2, which covers the 'Mesolithic to Early Bronze Age', there's a section on tor enclosures. Newman writes: 'Two somewhat enigmatic sites that ma...

White Tor, Peter Tavy, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 20 miles away)

White Tor (or White Tor/Whittor) is located on Cudliptown Down on the western side of Dartmoor National Park. It is said to be topped by a Neolithic tor enclosure. See our White Tor Fort/Neolithic Enclosure listing for further information and directions.

White Tor, Langstone Moor and Great Staple Tor Circular Walk, Peter Tavy, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 20 miles away)

Impressive walk to the west of the Park incorporating one of Dartmoor's most dramatic tors. Use the Ordnance Survey OL28 Dartmoor map to help plan your walk in tandem with our Google maps and photographs. Start at the car park on the edge of Smeardon Down to the east of Peter Tavy. Follow the...

Buttern Hill, Gidleigh, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 20 miles away)

Buttern Hill is one of a number of unremarkable domed hills on the edge of the National Park's north moor. There are hut circles, cairns and a chambered cairn on this stretch of moorland. To its west, in a shallow valley, is Buttern Hill Stone Circle. Most people pass Buttern Hill as they walk be...

Stone Lane Gardens and Mythic Garden Sculpture Exhibition, Chagford, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 20 miles away)

Gardens/family attraction The team behind Holiday in Dartmoor run a number of UK travel sites. We've spent over a decade photographing and researching South West England. Whilst it's not particularly well known, Stone Lane Gardens is as impressive as anything we've seen from the edge of Salisbury...

Stephen's Grave, Peter Tavy, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 20 miles away)

In his 'Guide to Dartmoor', William Crossing wrote: 'Retracing our steps northward to the peat track (T.16), we turn L., shortly afterwards reaching a mound close beside it. This is known as Stephens' Grave [sic], and marks the site where a suicide was buried with the barbarous rites once customa...

Buckland Abbey (National Trust), Tavistock, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 20 miles away)

Family attraction Spend time walking Dartmoor's south plateau and you'll encounter a high number of ancient crosses. These marked routes across the moors. The routes were used by monks and others to travel between the medieval abbeys and priory that fringed the wild, high ground. Buckland Abbey w...

Taw Head, Belstone, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 20 miles away)

There's a large area of flat, boggy moorland on Dartmoor's north moor where many of Devon's most famous rivers rise. The headwaters of the River Taw can be found there. Whilst most Dartmoor visitors avoid the headwaters of the National Park's rivers, the start of the River Taw can get relatively bus...

Buttern Hill Stone Circle, Gidleigh, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 20 miles away)

There are many stone rows and circles on the moors above Chagford. Some, like Scorhill Stone Circle and The Grey Wethers Stone Circles, are well known and much visited. Others, like Fernworthy Stone Circle, are less well frequented because they are a little harder to find. Buttern Hill Stone Circle...

Spinster's Rock, Chagford, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 20 miles away)

Neolithic burial chamber erected around 3500-2500 BC Explore high moor across the Westcountry and you’ll come across plenty of dolmens or burial chambers (see below). These distinctive structures consist of standing stones topped by a large capstone. Spinster’s Rock in Dartmoor’s National P...

Little Kneeset, Okehampton, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 20 miles away)

Fur Tor is said to be the most remote place on Dartmoor and in southern England. Little Kneeset feels like it. A small hill situated between Great Kneeset and Fur Tor, Little Kneeset is difficult to get to. You're most likely to pass by if you're walking the North-South (Track) Ancient Travel Route...

Secret Place Sculpture, Drewsteignton, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 20 miles away)

One of the many joys of walking in the north east section of Dartmoor National Park around Castle Drogo (National Trust) and Teign Gorge (National Trust) are the beautiful public sculptures you encounter on your way. Secret Place is on the Two Moors Way close to where it leaves/enters Dartmo...

Gem Bridge, Tavistock, Dartmoor National Park (approx. 20 miles away)

Gem Bridge is part of Drake's Trail.