Taikoo
Sleeps 14
Dartmoor, Devon
Walks, waterfalls and wildlife
Across Dartmoor, hard walks, easy walks, circular walks and even Nordic walks are all possible. Try Lydford Gorge for its spectacular waterfall, walking and wildlife. Go all Famous Five with the kids on The Dartmoor Mystery Treasure Trail, try gorge-scrambling, or head to Buckfast Abbey for mead, bees and monks.
Country kids
Taikoo is all about fun in the fresh Dartmoor air. Ramble over the moorland from the back gate or head out to Lydford Gorge for a spectacular waterfall, walks and wildlife, bird hides and woodland sculptures. It’s a similar story at Simmonds Park, with all this plus pitch-and-putt, cricket and bowling.
At Roadford Lake Country Park, there’s windsurfing, sailing, kayaking, high ropes, cycling and walking. Or maybe fire your arrows at dinosaurs, orcs and wolves at Dragon Archery. Becky Falls Woodland Park offers 50 acres of woodlands, waterfalls and walks, with a side order of animal petting, too.
Adding to the sense of Famous Five is The Dartmoor Mystery Treasure Trail, a self-guided themed driving trail offering fun for the whole family. Try glass blowing, glass painting and jewellery design at Dartington Crystal Glass, or take to the trees at Tree Surfers.
Canonteign Falls is home to England’s highest waterfall, plus over 80 acres that play host to a nature walk, secret garden, children’s assault course, play area and giant bunnies. Go Ape at Haldon, see four acres of garden gnomes and pixies at Bradworthy, or Segway your way through Haldon Forest at Go Segway.
For the grown-ups
On the magnificent moorland there are hard walks, easy walks, circular walks, moderate walks and even Nordic walks. Recover with a tranquil diversion and pack a picnic for Burrator Reservoir, where the mixed woodland contrasts sharply with the Dartmoor tors.
Ride the Granite Way cycle and walkway between Okehampton and Lydford, or lose yourself in 3500 acres of forest at Haldon Forest Park. Find out more about rural Devon at the Museum Of Dartmoor Life in the centre of Okehampton, or try the Salar Gallery for arts and crafts close by Roger Dean’s famous ‘Sheep’ sculpture.
Go gorge scrambling with Adventure Okehampton, explore ancient stannary towns, get green-fingered at one of the many open gardens, or discover ancient abbeys and ruins. Swim outdoors at Chagford, be beguiled on a wild and wonderful Dartmouth Safari, or discover mead, bees and monks at Buckfast Abbey.
For lights, sights, bars and bites, plus an amazing underground tour of subterranean passages, Exeter is just half an hour away.
