Local Attractions

There is lots to see and do in beautiful devon

High Moorland Visitor Centre

“Six exhibition rooms with exciting displays featuring life size characters, computer interactive displays, audio visual and photographic displays. The exhibitions give an insight into the natural and cultural heritage of Dartmoor.”

Visitors to Dartmoor National Park Authority’s High Moorland Visitor Centre, Princetown, can discover the beauty of Dartmoor, through a collection of fantastic works ranging from farming and forestry to archaeology and wildlife.

The National Park offers so much with fantastic landscapes, wildlife and cultural qualities that is reflected in the Visitor Centre as well as in the regularly changing exhibitions from artists and writers.

“The High Moorland Visitor Centre is an ideal place to start your visit to Dartmoor. You will find extensive, modern, interpretative displays that provide wonderful insights to Dartmoor”

South Devon Railway

“The South Devon Railway is one of Devon’s and the West Country’s best loved tourist attractions and is the longest established steam railway in the south west.”

Only a few miles away from The Lavender House Hotel is The South Devon Railway, based in Buckfasleigh. A steam train ride can be a fantastic day out for families looking to entertain the children, for couples wishing to experience fine dining or for train enthusiasts.

As the steam trains meander through the beautiful South Devon countryside you can stop off at the Totness Rare Breeds Farm, the Dartmoor Otters and the Buckfast Butterflies. A fantastic opportunity from South Devon Railway is the chance to experience the thrill, excitement and workings of driving a steam train or diesel train as part of the footplate crew. This will consist of taking it in turns as the driver or the fireman, starting the day at 9.00am and finishing at 4.15pm. 

Pennywell Farm Activity Centre

“Come and experience the Pennywell magic at our multi award winning Farm Activity Park… the biggest in the South West! There’s lots to do and see for the whole family…”

Pennywell Farm Activity Centre provides the perfect setting for children to experience life on a farm, visiting the farmyard theatre, horse drawn farm machinery, miniature pigs and deer. Play on the wildlife assault course, the quad bikes and willow maze & tower, but with so much to see and do, a day at Pennywell can soon fly by.

“Every half an hour a new fun activity is started – come and join in, watch, learn and have fun, almost everything is included in the entry price and all the day’s activities are on a notice board as you walk in.”