Becky Falls. Copyright Becky Falls.
When I stayed at Dartmoor’s Bovey Castle with my husband and children there was so much to do at the hotel that we didn’t leave the grounds. From learning how to shoot with air rifles to making sloe gin to building woodland dens this wonderful Devon pile offers a huge range of country activities. Bovey Castle was built in 1907 for the heir to WH Smith and is part of a 275-acre estate in south-west England. We loved our family rooms and my youngest took full advantage of the LEGO room service. This English country house hotel offers luxuries such as a beautiful indoor pool, spa and a golf course but has a relaxed, homely feel and children and dogs are very welcome. It’s a good place for a family weekend or short break. For those who venture beyond the gates, there are some great things to do in the surrounding area too:
Dartmoor
Bovey Castle sits amidst the rugged beauty of Dartmoor National Park, inspiration for Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles. To experience the area on foot pick up a Bovey Castle walking guide from the hotel reception and head outside. Walks include an easy woodland stroll through the Bovey estate, along the river and over a few stiles to The Ring of Bells Inn, a thatched Dartmoor pub on North Bovey village green. (Update March 2017: sadly this pub is currently closed because of a fire).With its cosy log fires and cottage garden the inn sounds like a good place to go at any time of the year. Guests can borrow wellies, waterproof coats and dog towels from the hotel.
Ponies and donkeys
The Miniature Pony Centre is only minutes away from Bovey Castle and is one of Dartmoor’s most popular family attractions. The Miniature Shetland ponies and Miniature Mediterranean donkeys there are around 90 centimetres from hoof to shoulder when fully grown. There are many other animals to see at the Centre, including chipmunks, peacocks, Shire horses and pigs. Pony rides, play areas and trampolines are also on offer and visitors can take part in activities such as grooming the ponies and, in springtime, bottle feeding the lambs.
Beaches
If you fancy a family day at the beach there’s plenty of choice at around an hour’s drive away. Slapton Sands and Bigbury on Sea have unspoilt, sandy beaches. At Bigbury you can walk to Burgh Island and its iconic art-deco hotel at low tide, while at high tide a tractor will take you across. The hotel is for guests only, but the family-friendly Pilchard Inn next door is open to all. The beach at Slapton is separated from the nature reserve and the largest freshwater lake in south-west England by a fragile shingle bar. Teignmouth’s long, sand and shingle beach is overlooked by a Victorian pier and there’s a children’s playground and mini-golf on the seafront.
Boats
For a cruise along the River Dart take The Picnic Boat from Dartmouth. The two and a half hour lunchtime cruise is popular with families and includes a stop for crabbing. The boat takes up to twelve passengers and offers a choice of picnics using home-baked goods and local produce. Alternatively The Dartmouth Steam Railway and Riverboat Company runs circular Round Robin tours starting from Dartmouth, Totnes or Paignton and travelling by steam train, foot ferry, river boat and bus.
Waterfalls
The cascading waterfalls and huge granite boulders at Becky Falls range through more than 60 acres of woodland. The park has been voted the most beautiful place in Devon. There are various signposted paths to follow and a children’s stamp trail with a prize at the end – great for reluctant walkers. The boulders create natural pools which are popular for paddling and swimming when the weather’s warm. There are also animal shows, animal feeding sessions and indoor craft activities at the park. Picnicking is welcomed and baby back carriers are available as the paths aren’t suitable for pushchairs.
Family travel lowdown: We received a one-night stay in a family room at Bovey Castle for review purposes. Besides the hotel there are also 14 beautiful and modern lodges available for guests to stay in.
The Picnic Boat, Dartmouth, Devon. Copyright Kevin and Rayne Ward
I found about this place yesterday and was thinking about it all the time. As I went through the post I got more and more convinced this is where I should spend the most of my family vacation. With 2 kids, how long do you think is good stay? 4-5 days? You say you stayed just for a day here? But it seems you did a lot to fit in a day
We didn’t do all of those things in a day, we spent all of our time at the hotel itself on that trip. There’s lots to do for kids both at Bovey Castle and in the surrounding area. 4-5 days sounds like a good length of time to me. Have a great trip and let me know how it goes!
Sounds like you had a lovely break. I’m also loving the picnic boat, how fantastic! #CountryKids
Sara (@mumturnedmom) recently posted…#CountryKids – we’re going on a squirrel hunt!
It’s a great hotel and it’s a lovely area.
Dartmoor is so picturesque with plenty to see and do for the whole family. I love the idea of a picnic boat and I know a few of my children would take advantage of the Lego room service! Thanks for linking up and sharing with Country Kids.
Coombe Mill – Fiona recently posted…Country Kids from Coombe Mill
The LEGO room service is great!
Sounds like a lovely place to visit! We live in Cornwall so Devon isn’t that far. Must include this on the list of places to visit 🙂 #CountryKids
Dean recently posted…At the Football Field
I’d definitely recommend it.
I live in Mid-Devon, which really is a stone’s throw away from there, so I’m a little ashamed to say that I’ve never stayed there! Seriously, LEGO room service? Never mind the kids, I would be in heaven!
Dartmoor itself is such a wonderful place to hike around. I sat atop one of the tours one evening, writing poetry and watching the sunset over the moor. I have to say, it was one of my most memorable occasions. Absolutely beautiful.
Stacey Corrin recently posted…Just Shut Up and Eat Your Ice Cream
It’s a great place to stay, you have to check it out if you get the chance. How lovely to live in Mid-Devon.
sounds like there is loads to do! I love the picnic boat and would love to go
anna recently posted…Day 6 – Monsoon Girls Tableware Gift Set
There really are tons of things to do in the area.
What a great idea LEGO room service is! The hotel sounds wonderful and if we decide to holiday that way again it will certainly be on the list of possibilities!
Shell Louise recently posted…The Croods DVD – Big thumbs up!
I’m sure you’d enjoy it, it’s a great hotel for all ages.
I love that first picture. Looks like a beautiful place to visit
Foz recently posted…Review – Babylit Board Books
It does look gorgeous there and the photographer’s done a great job.
Lego room service? What a genius idea! I think my kids would want to try something new every day. And the Picnic Boat and sloe gin making sound fab. And all in such a beautiful setting too. You couldn’t really go wrong staying there, could you?
Healthier Mummy recently posted…10 ways to get your child to eat vegetables
I can definitely recommend sloe gin making, it was great fun.
I too am swooning at the picnic boat! And how fun a LEGO room service is!
A great area of the country, many a childhood holiday was spent that way x
Mammasaurus recently posted…Buy Local: Beaulieu and Small Business Saturday
Maybe we need a picnic boat blogger trip!
You had me convinced as soon as you mentioned sloe gin! I’d get the kids to order in Lego and I’d then make enough to bath in.
Louisa recently posted…Fabulous family fun with The Croods dvd
An excellent idea, why didn’t I think of it at the time?!
I think I might be slightly in love with the picnic boat… We have friends who live in that part of the world, it is so beautiful there isn’t it?
Emma recently posted…Saint Nicholas and Friend
I know, the picnic boat is amazing and it’s a gorgeous area.