Saltram House -
a remarkable survival of a George II mansion (modelled around a Tudor core). It is complete with its original contents and set in an attractive landscape park. Robert Adam worked here on two occasions to create the magnificent state rooms. There are exquisite plasterwork ceilings and four rooms are decorated with 18th-century Chinese wallpaper. The house contains fine period furniture, china and pictures, including many portraits by Sir Joshua Reynolds and Angelica Kauffmann. Recently opened rooms feature the Parker children's doll's house and hands-on 18th-century-inspired activities for children. The superb 18th-century gardens contain an orangery, the Chapel Art Gallery and several follies, as well as beautiful shrubberies, imposing specimen trees and a newly restored border originally designed by Graham Stuart Thomas.
Buckland Abbey -
tucked away in its own secluded valley above the River Tavy, Buckland was originally a small but influential Cistercian monastery. The house, incorporating the remains of the 13th-century abbey church, has rich associations with Sir Francis Drake and his seafaring rival, Sir Richard Grenville, containing much interesting memorabilia from their time. There are exhibitions on Buckland's history as well as a magnificent monastic barn, herb garden, delightful estate walks and craft workshops. Recent developments include new interpretative exhibitions and displays, a hand-crafted plasterwork ceiling in the Drake Chamber, the creation of an Elizabethan garden and the Cot Lane rural crafts area.
Overbecks - has six acres of beautiful gardens that were created in the early 20th century and contain one of the richest and most varied collections of trees, shrubs and flowering plants to be found in England. There are fruiting oranges in the conservatory and the whole garden has a Mediterrnean flavour.
Woodlands Leisure Park - All Weather Fun! Rain! Snow! Wind! No problem! Come to Woodlands for a great day out, fun for all the family on the 15 Playzones for all ages.
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park - An educational experience for all ages.
An exciting learning environment with wildlife in habitat zones. Over 250 different exotic animal species, 70 of which are endangered.
A range of native habitats to study.
Clear information signs with fascinating facts about the animals and their habitats.
Discovery Centre and Ark family activity centre.
Trails and activity packs.
Kents Cavern -
is one of the most important Palaeolithic caves in Northern Europe and the oldest recognisable human dwelling in Britain . It holds beautiful and spectacular geological formations and significant prehistoric finds, some over 700,000 years old. To find out about the unique history of the caves take a look at our time-line and jump to the stage of evolution you are interested in. Click on the virtual tour if you would like to take a look around the caves. Please choose from the other links below to find out more historical information about the Palaeolithic period and history associated with these caves.
Totnes Castle -
situated on a promontory, commanding the River Dart, Totnes Castle was built by the Normans at a point where three valleys meet.
Earliest surviving parts of the castle date from the 11th century, in the form of earth works surrounding the site, with a later motte and bailey castle being constructed on the built-up earthworks.
Berry Pomoroy Castle -
on a wooded hill, close to the River Dart in southern Devon, lie the unusual remains of Berry Pomeroy Castle. This site was first occupied by the Pomeroy family during the 11 th century, and throughout its inhabitation, the castle has been in the ownership of only one other person - Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector during the reign of King Edward VI. The Pomeroys built the original medieval castle during the 12 th century, and continued to undertake work on the castle until the 15 th century when a substantial programme of work was carried out to restore and replace much of the original building. On a wall in the eastern tower of the Gatehouse, it is possible to see a wall-painting dating from this period. Berry Pomeroy Castle was sold to Edward Seymour during the 16 th century, who had elaborate plans for the castle, which were continued by his son.
Dartmouth Castle - jutting out at the entrance to the Dart estuary, this well-positioned castle was one of the earliest in England specifically designed to carry guns. Construction began in the late 15th century when the local merchants felt vulnerable to possible invasion, and wanted a way to protects their warehouses and cargoes. Dartmouth Castle consists of a round tower, built mainly of limestone rubble, and a square tower constructed of slate. The round tower was built first but, prior to its completion, work commenced on the square tower which explains possibly why slate was used for the upper parts of the round tower when the two were joined together. Gun platforms stretch out from either side of the towers.
Buckfast Abbey - is the home of a Roman Catholic Community of Benedictine monks in Devon, England. The first monastery was founded in 1018, but was suppressed by Henry VIII in 1539. It was refounded in 1882. The Abbey Church was rebuilt by the monks themselves. Buckfast now welcomes almost half a million visitors each year.
Other attractions/activities include:
River trip from Totnes to Dartmouth
Steam railways
Babbacombe Model Village
Bygones Victorian Village
Dartington Cider Press Centre
Dartington Hall Gardens and Cetnre of Culture and Media
City of Plymouth
City of Exeter
Numerous beaches of Torbay and South Devon
Three golf courses within easy reach
Walking on Dartmoor and South Devon Coastal Path
TWICE WINNERS OF THE
SOUTH HAMS FOR ALL SEASONS AWARD
Mrs Janet Hooper
Great Court Farm
Weston Lane
Totnes, Devon TQ9 6LB
Saltram House -
a remarkable survival of a George II mansion (modelled around a Tudor core). It is complete with its original contents and set in an attractive landscape park. Robert Adam worked here on two occasions to create the magnificent state rooms. There are exquisite plasterwork ceilings and four rooms are decorated with 18th-century Chinese wallpaper. The house contains fine period furniture, china and pictures, including many portraits by Sir Joshua Reynolds and Angelica Kauffmann. Recently opened rooms feature the Parker children's doll's house and hands-on 18th-century-inspired activities for children. The superb 18th-century gardens contain an orangery, the Chapel Art Gallery and several follies, as well as beautiful shrubberies, imposing specimen trees and a newly restored border originally designed by Graham Stuart Thomas.
Buckland Abbey -
tucked away in its own secluded valley above the River Tavy, Buckland was originally a small but influential Cistercian monastery. The house, incorporating the remains of the 13th-century abbey church, has rich associations with Sir Francis Drake and his seafaring rival, Sir Richard Grenville, containing much interesting memorabilia from their time. There are exhibitions on Buckland's history as well as a magnificent monastic barn, herb garden, delightful estate walks and craft workshops. Recent developments include new interpretative exhibitions and displays, a hand-crafted plasterwork ceiling in the Drake Chamber, the creation of an Elizabethan garden and the Cot Lane rural crafts area.
Paignton Zoo Environmental Park - An educational experience for all ages.
An exciting learning environment with wildlife in habitat zones. Over 250 different exotic animal species, 70 of which are endangered.
A range of native habitats to study.
Clear information signs with fascinating facts about the animals and their habitats.
Discovery Centre and Ark family activity centre.
Trails and activity packs. 
Kents Cavern -
is one of the most important Palaeolithic caves in Northern Europe and the oldest recognisable human dwelling in Britain . It holds beautiful and spectacular geological formations and significant prehistoric finds, some over 700,000 years old. To find out about the unique history of the caves take a look at our time-line and jump to the stage of evolution you are interested in. Click on the virtual tour if you would like to take a look around the caves. Please choose from the other links below to find out more historical information about the Palaeolithic period and history associated with these caves.
Totnes Castle -
situated on a promontory, commanding the River Dart, Totnes Castle was built by the Normans at a point where three valleys meet.
Earliest surviving parts of the castle date from the 11th century, in the form of earth works surrounding the site, with a later motte and bailey castle being constructed on the built-up earthworks.
Berry Pomoroy Castle -
on a wooded hill, close to the River Dart in southern Devon, lie the unusual remains of Berry Pomeroy Castle. This site was first occupied by the Pomeroy family during the 11 th century, and throughout its inhabitation, the castle has been in the ownership of only one other person - Edward Seymour, Duke of Somerset and Lord Protector during the reign of King Edward VI. The Pomeroys built the original medieval castle during the 12 th century, and continued to undertake work on the castle until the 15 th century when a substantial programme of work was carried out to restore and replace much of the original building. On a wall in the eastern tower of the Gatehouse, it is possible to see a wall-painting dating from this period. Berry Pomeroy Castle was sold to Edward Seymour during the 16 th century, who had elaborate plans for the castle, which were continued by his son.
Buckfast Abbey - is the home of a Roman Catholic Community of Benedictine monks in Devon, England. The first monastery was founded in 1018, but was suppressed by Henry VIII in 1539. It was refounded in 1882. The Abbey Church was rebuilt by the monks themselves. Buckfast now welcomes almost half a million visitors each year.