If walking on the moors isn’t quite floating your boat, perhaps take things up a notch with white water kayaking on the River Dart.  From £100 for two people, CRS Adventures is a family run outdoor activities centre dedicated to adventure.  Welcoming individuals, families and schools, they cater to all ages, bringing Dartmoor to life with adventure days, mountain biking, and white water experiences.  They offer packages for corporate groups, hen and stag dos, families and even weddings if you fancy doing something a little different.  It’s getting back to nature in a whole new way!

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An award-winning holiday park in Devon, River Dart Country Park is a wonderful day out for entertaining the kids, filled with activities and outdoor adventures for happy, healthy holidays.  In 90 acres of parkland within Dartmoor National Park, there’s everything from an adventure playground and a commando assault course to a zip wire, a toddler beach and a pirate ship to play on.  Fishing, laser clay pigeon shooting, and owls and hawks to see are all part of the attraction, and parking, toilets and baby changing facilities are all readily available.  There is also a cafe and restaurant on site.  Opening times vary throughout the year.

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People have been visiting this beautiful wooded valley on the River Dart for nearly 1000 years, drawn to Buckfast in search of God.  However, in 1882 that practice became a community when monks of the community of La Pierre-qui-vire in France relocated to the area to continue their monastic way of life when anti-clerical laws were enacted.  Today it continues to be a spiritual, peaceful and active working monastery, prizing its deep rooted Benedictine spirituality and its rich heritage.  You can visit the abbey for regular services and Mass, or simply browse, explore the gardens, visit the shop and have lunch in the Grange Restaurant.  There are seasonal events, the gardens are free to wander around all year, and there’s parking on site.  

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A wonderfully traditional West Country attraction, The South Devon Railway (SDR) is a seven-mile former branch of the Great Western Railway from 1872. Running through the valley of the River Dart from Buckfastleigh to Totnes you can board a steam train with heritage rolling stock whatever the weather and whatever age you are. Dogs are welcome on the train for a nominal charge and seasonal charges vary. Step up the luxury on a dining train, or for really special occasions there are options to drive a train for a day or hire one for private events. While you’re there, other attractions close by include the Totnes Rare Breeds Farm and Dartmoor Otters and Buckfast Butterflies, to really make a day of it.

A spacious beamed restaurant open to non-residents, offering an extensive lunch and dinner menu full of high quality modern, traditional and international dishes, all at great value prices.

The Dartmoor Lodge Hotel & Restaurant  Peartree Cross, Ashburton, Devon TQ13 7JW

A traditional pub and restaurant in an idyllic riverside setting, offering well-cooked pub favourites for lunch along with a la carte dinner options accompanied by an extensive wine list.

The Abbey Inn 30 Buckfast Road, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0EA (T: 01364 642343) 

A friendly traditional tea room and restaurant serving breakfasts, snacks, light meals, cakes and cream teas.

The Singing Kettle 54 Fore Street, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0BS (T: 01364 642383)

Recently changed hands and a popular haunt with the locals this small, friendly pub has earned a reputation for serving excellent food.  Book a table inside or sit outside on the front decking and watch the world go by.

Live and Let Live Landscove, TQ13 7LZ (T : 01803 762663)

Set on Riverford Organic’s Wash Farm, the Riverford Field Kitchen serves delicious, freshly picked seasonal produce with organic meat and fish options all in a relaxed, friendly environment.  Guests share tables with dishes passed around to share.

Riverford Field Kitchen  Wash Farm, Buckfastleigh TQ11 0JU (T: 01803 762074) 

In between Brixham and Paignton, this long, sandy beach is a popular spot with families, thanks to its sheltered waters, year-round facilities and easy parking. The Blue Flag beach is perfect for making sandcastles and searching for wildlife in the rockpools. There are toilets, and two places to get ice creams, coffees and soft drinks. What’s more, the car park is right by the beach, so there’s no need to lug your provisions a long way. Behind the pretty row of colourful beach huts, there’s a large grassy area, so don’t forget to pack a ball or rounders bat to keep the whole family entertained. Broadsands Beach is a popular dog walking spot throughout autumn and winter, but there is a seasonal dog ban during the summer months (1st May - 30th September).

Sitting at the mouth of the River Teign, Teignmouth is a traditional British seaside resort with a wide sandy beach backed by Georgian houses and a Victorian pier with amusement arcades and cafes.  The main beach, known as Town Beach, offers acres of sand to play on and sunbathe and if the mood takes you the safe waters are perfect for taking a dip.  The sheltered estuary is popular with kayakers and paddle boarders, and the award winning clean waters are home to plenty of sealife with dolphins spotted occaisionally offshore.  No dogs 1^st May – 30^th September. 

Far from the bustling crowds of Paignton and Brixham’s bigger beaches, this small pebbly cove is a truly relaxing spot. The calm waters are great for swimming and are said to have been one of Agatha Christie’s favourite bathing spots. Elberry Cove even features in one of her crime thriller novels, The ABC Murders. This picture-perfect cove, surrounded by sloping wooded hillsides and crystal clear water, can only be accessed by the coast path, with the nearest carpark at Broadsands Beach. From here, it is only a 10 - 15 minute walk, but make sure to pack a picnic or grab a bite to eat at Broadsands Beach before you set off, as there aren’t any facilities at here. Dogs are welcome on the beach throughout the year.

If you’re willing to venture off the beaten track, you’ll discover one of Brixham’s hidden gems, Churston Cove. Surrounded by sloping wooded hillsides, this beautiful little cove isn’t the easiest to get to, which makes it an idyllic, peaceful place to while away the day. The crystal clear water is safe for kids to paddle and play in, and is a popular swimming spot. Parking is available at Freshwater carpark, a 15-minute walk away. There are no toilet facilities or cafes, and the beach is accessed via a long, steep path, which is uneven in places, but this beautiful little cove is worth the effort. Churston Cove is dog-friendly all year round.

Take the coast path from Brixham and escape the crowds at Fishcombe Cove, a peaceful shingle cove, protected on all sides by tall red cliffs. Access to this little cove isn’t easy, via a steep path from Freshwater carpark, but it is definitely worth the effort. The clear, blue sea is sheltered and calm, making it a favourite with swimmers and kayakers. Fishcombe Cove is also a popular place for boats and yachts to moor up and make the most of the beautiful water. If you’re lucky, you might even catch a seal popping its head up to say hello. There is a café and toilets here, but both are only open during the summer months. Fishcombe Cove is dog-friendly all year round.